Psalms 40:10

KJV

I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.

KJV (with Strong's)

I have not hid {H3680}{H8765)} thy righteousness {H6666} within {H8432} my heart {H3820}; I have declared {H559}{H8804)} thy faithfulness {H530} and thy salvation {H8668}: I have not concealed {H3582}{H8765)} thy lovingkindness {H2617} and thy truth {H571} from the great {H7227} congregation {H6951}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I did not hide your righteousness in my heart but declared your faithfulness and salvation; I did not conceal your grace and truth from the great assembly."

Berean Standard Bible

I have not covered up Your righteousness in my heart; I have declared Your faithfulness and salvation; I have not concealed Your loving devotion and faithfulness from the great assembly.

American Standard Version

I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation; I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great assembly.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 40:10 presents a powerful declaration by David, expressing his unwavering commitment to openly proclaim God's inherent character and redemptive acts. Emerging from a narrative of profound divine deliverance, this verse underscores the indispensable nature of public testimony and the communal sharing of God's righteousness, faithfulness, salvation, lovingkindness, and truth. It stands as a testament to the transformative impact of God's grace, which compels the recipient to transcend private gratitude and embrace public witness, ensuring that God's boundless goodness is not hidden but celebrated before "the great congregation."

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 40 is a complex "mixed psalm," skillfully weaving together elements of lament, thanksgiving, and renewed commitment. It begins with David recounting his desperate cry to God and the miraculous deliverance he experienced from a "horrible pit, out of the miry clay" ([Psalm 40:2](/psalms/40-2 "Psalm 40:2 - David's Deliverance from the Pit")). This profound rescue leads to a "new song" being placed in his mouth ([Psalm 40:3](/psalms/40-3 "Psalm 40:3 - A New Song of Praise")), prompting a deep reflection on the blessedness of trusting in the Lord. The psalm then transitions into a powerful statement of obedience and willingness to do God's will, emphasizing that God desires obedience more than sacrifice ([Psalm 40:6-8](/psalms/40-6-8 "Psalm 40:6-8 - Obedience Over Sacrifice")). Verse 10 serves as the climactic expression of this commitment to public witness, directly following David's declaration that God's law is "within my heart" ([Psalm 40:8](/psalms/40-8 "Psalm 40:8 - God's Law Within the Heart")), highlighting that internal transformation naturally leads to external proclamation. The psalm concludes with a renewed plea for God's continued help and deliverance ([Psalm 40:11-17](/psalms/40-11-17 "Psalm 40:11-17 - A Plea for Deliverance")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, religious life was intrinsically communal, centered around assemblies at the Tabernacle or, later, the Temple. The "great congregation" (Hebrew: `qâhâl`) was the formal assembly of the people, where corporate worship, sacrifices, and the teaching of the Law took place. Public testimony within this assembly was not merely encouraged but expected, serving to reinforce the covenant relationship between God and His people, educate successive generations about divine acts, and strengthen communal faith. Kings, as spiritual and political leaders, bore a particular responsibility to model and lead in such public declarations, thereby affirming the nation's identity as God's chosen people and His unwavering faithfulness to them. This practice is evident in various historical accounts, such as the public reading of the Law by Ezra before the assembled people ([Nehemiah 8](/nehemiah/8 "Nehemiah 8 - The Reading of the Law")). David's declaration in this verse is thus deeply rooted in the communal worship practices and expectations of his time, demonstrating his role as a faithful leader and worshipper.

* **Key Themes:** The overarching theme of Psalms 40:10 is **Public Proclamation and Witness**. David's explicit refusal to "hide" or "conceal" God's attributes, coupled with his active "declaration," underscores the imperative for believers to openly share their faith experiences and God's truth. This highlights the communal dimension of faith, where personal encounters with divine deliverance naturally overflow into shared testimony that edifies the body of believers and draws others to God. A second crucial theme is **God's Enduring Character**, as David systematically enumerates five essential divine attributes: righteousness, faithfulness, salvation, lovingkindness, and truth. These are not abstract concepts but tangible realities experienced through God's active involvement in human affairs, demonstrating His covenant loyalty and His just and merciful nature. Finally, the verse powerfully articulates **Gratitude and Obedience as a Response to Grace**. David's public declaration is not a burdensome duty but a spontaneous, heartfelt response to God's saving grace, mirroring the pervasive call for thanksgiving and obedience found throughout the Psalms, exemplified in passages like [Psalm 107](/psalms/107 "Psalm 107 - God's Steadfast Love for His People").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Righteousness (Hebrew, _tsᵉdâqâh'_):** From H6666, this term refers to God's inherent moral rectitude, justice, and conformity to His own perfect standard. It encompasses His just character, His adherence to moral principles, and His actions in upholding what is right. When God's righteousness is declared, it speaks to His just governance of the world and His faithfulness in vindicating the oppressed and judging the wicked.
* **Declared (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** From H559, this primitive root means "to say" or "to speak," but is used with great latitude to include "to announce," "to make known," or "to publish." It implies a clear, open, and public communication. David uses this active verb to emphasize that his proclamation of God's character and saving acts is not passive or hesitant but a deliberate and forthright act of witness, contrasting sharply with the idea of "hiding" or "concealing."
* **Lovingkindness (Hebrew, _chêçêd'_):** From H2617, this profound theological term signifies God's steadfast love, covenant loyalty, mercy, and faithfulness. It describes a love that is active, enduring, and deeply committed, particularly within the context of a covenant relationship. It is not merely an emotion but an action-oriented attribute, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to His promises and His people, even in their unfaithfulness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart;":** David begins with a strong negative assertion, emphasizing that he has not kept God's righteous character a private matter. The phrase "within my heart" (Hebrew: `tâvek` H8432, `lêb` H3820) refers to his innermost being, implying that he has not merely understood God's righteousness intellectually but has internalized it and then refused to keep it confined. It suggests a willingness to expose his deepest convictions about God to the public sphere, moving from internal apprehension to external expression.
* **"I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation:":** Moving from what he has *not* done to what he *has* done, David actively proclaims God's "faithfulness" (Hebrew: `ʼĕmûwnâh` H530 – His reliability and steadfastness in keeping promises) and "salvation" (Hebrew: `tᵉshûwʻâh` H8668 – His powerful acts of deliverance and rescue). These are tangible, experienced realities that demand public testimony. The declaration is not just about God's nature but about His active intervention in human history and in David's own life, transforming personal experience into communal truth.
* **"I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.":** This second negative assertion, using "concealed" (Hebrew: `kâchad` H3582, `kâçâh` H3680), reinforces the first, creating a powerful parallelism. David reiterates his refusal to keep God's "lovingkindness" (His covenant loyalty and steadfast love) and "truth" (Hebrew: `ʼemeth` H571 – His reliability and genuineness) a secret. The specific audience, "the great congregation" (Hebrew: `rab` H7227, `qâhâl` H6951), highlights the public, communal, and corporate nature of his witness. It is a declaration made before the assembled people of God, for their benefit and for God's glory, ensuring that God's character is widely known and celebrated.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 40:10 masterfully employs several literary devices to amplify its profound message. The most prominent is **Parallelism**, specifically showcasing both **Synonymous Parallelism** and **Antithetical Parallelism**. The first half of the verse, "I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart," is synonymously paralleled by the second half's "I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation," where "hid" and "concealed" are synonymous actions, and "righteousness" is broadly paired with "lovingkindness and truth." This structure creates a strong emphasis on the active and open nature of David's proclamation. Furthermore, the explicit positive declaration, "I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation," stands in **Antithetical Parallelism** to the repeated negations ("I have not hid," "I have not concealed"), powerfully highlighting the deliberate choice to speak rather than remain silent. The verse also utilizes a form of **Enumeration** or **Listing**, as David systematically itemizes God's attributes: righteousness, faithfulness, salvation, lovingkindness, and truth. This comprehensive listing underscores the multifaceted nature of God's character that is being proclaimed. The phrase "within my heart" can also be seen as a subtle **Metonymy**, where the heart represents the inner person or the seat of one's deepest convictions and spiritual understanding.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 40:10 profoundly articulates the biblical mandate for public witness, stemming directly from a personal experience of divine grace. It reveals that true faith is never merely a private affair but is inherently communal and missional. God's character—His righteousness, faithfulness, salvation, lovingkindness, and truth—is not meant to be hoarded or confined to individual experience but is to be proclaimed, for it is through this proclamation that His glory is revealed and His people are strengthened. This act of declaration is a natural and necessary response to God's saving work, transforming a recipient of grace into a herald of His goodness. It inextricably links the individual's spiritual journey to the corporate life of the community of faith, emphasizing that our testimonies serve to build up the "great congregation" and compellingly point the world to the living God.

* [Deuteronomy 6:6-7](/deuteronomy/6-6-7 "Teaching God's Commands to Your Children")
* [Isaiah 43:10](/isaiah/43-10 "You Are My Witnesses, Says the Lord")
* [1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "A Chosen Race, a Royal Priesthood")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 40:10 serves as a timeless call to action for every believer, echoing through the centuries with profound relevance. Just as David, having experienced God's miraculous deliverance and transformative grace, felt an undeniable compulsion to declare His attributes publicly, so too are we, as recipients of God's boundless grace and salvation through Christ, called to be His faithful witnesses. Our faith is not intended to be a hidden treasure, confined to our hearts or the privacy of our homes. Instead, it is a radiant light meant to shine brightly, a compelling story meant to be told, and an eternal truth meant to be shared with the "great congregation" of our contemporary world—be it our local church, our immediate community, our workplace, or the broader global stage. This involves not only sharing our personal testimonies of God's faithfulness in our lives but also boldly proclaiming His unchanging character: His righteousness in a world that often lacks justice, His faithfulness amidst broken promises, His salvation for those lost in sin, and His lovingkindness and truth in a culture yearning for authentic relationships and reliable foundations. Our lives, both in our words and our deeds, should be a living testament to the God we serve, demonstrating the transformative power of His presence and the redemptive nature of His love.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific ways have I been "hiding" God's righteousness, faithfulness, or lovingkindness within my heart, rather than actively declaring it?**
* **What opportunities do I have, both within and outside my faith community, to "declare" God's salvation and truth to my "great congregation" today?**
* **How can my daily life and interactions more consistently reflect the "lovingkindness and truth" of God that I claim to believe in?**
* **Considering the current needs of the world around me, which specific attributes of God (righteousness, faithfulness, salvation, lovingkindness, truth) does it most desperately need to hear about, and how can I articulate them effectively?**

### FAQ
**Why is public proclamation so important in this verse?**

Answer: Public proclamation is crucial because it elevates faith beyond a private, individual experience into a communal and corporate witness. In ancient Israel, the "great congregation" (Hebrew: `qâhâl`) was the assembled people of God, where testimonies reinforced the covenant, educated new generations about God's mighty acts, and glorified God collectively. For David, it was a profound act of gratitude and obedience, acknowledging that God's deliverance and character were too magnificent to be kept silent. This public declaration fosters corporate worship, strengthens the community of faith, and serves as an evangelistic witness to those outside the covenant, demonstrating God's active presence and power in the world. It aligns with the biblical principle that genuine faith naturally overflows into outward expression and witness, as seen in the call to "Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people" ([Psalm 96:3](/psalms/96-3 "Declare His Glory Among the Nations")).

**What does "the great congregation" mean for believers today?**

Answer: While "the great congregation" originally referred to the assembled people of Israel, for believers today, it broadly encompasses the entire body of Christ—the Church universal—and by extension, any gathering of God's people where His truth is proclaimed. This includes local church assemblies, conferences, small groups, and even broader public platforms where believers share their faith. It reminds us that our faith is not meant to be isolated but is lived out in community. Our testimonies and declarations of God's character are vital for the edification of fellow believers and as a collective witness to the world, fulfilling the call to be a "city on a hill" whose light cannot be hidden ([Matthew 5:14](/matthew/5-14 "You Are the Light of the World")). It emphasizes that our individual faith contributes to the collective witness of the Church.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 40:10 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. David's declaration to "not hid thy righteousness... declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation... not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth" perfectly foreshadows the incarnate Son of God. Jesus is the very embodiment of God's attributes; in Him, "grace and truth came" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "The Word Became Flesh")), and He perfectly revealed the Father's righteousness and lovingkindness to humanity. Unlike David, who declared what he had *received* from God, Jesus declared what He *was* and what He *brought* from the Father. He did not hide God's truth but boldly proclaimed the good news of the Kingdom of God, teaching openly in synagogues, on mountainsides, and by the sea, declaring salvation to all who would believe ([Mark 1:15](/mark/1-15 "Jesus Proclaims the Kingdom of God")). His entire life was an unreserved public testimony to God's faithfulness and salvation, culminating in His ultimate act of obedience on the cross, which the author of Hebrews connects directly to Psalm 40:6-8, highlighting Christ's delight to do God's will and offer His body as the perfect sacrifice ([Hebrews 10:5-7](/hebrews/10-5-7 "Christ's Obedience and Sacrifice")). Through His death and resurrection, Jesus became the ultimate demonstration of God's lovingkindness and truth, making salvation accessible to "the great congregation" of all humanity—Jew and Gentile alike. His commission to His disciples to "go and make disciples of all nations" ([Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "The Great Commission")) is the continuation of this very mandate to declare God's faithfulness, salvation, lovingkindness, and truth to every generation until His return.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Romans 1:16

¶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Romans 1:17

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Acts 20:20

[And] how I kept back nothing that was profitable [unto you], but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,

Acts 20:21

Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 20:26

Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I [am] pure from the blood of all [men].

Acts 20:27

For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

Psalms 34:6

This poor man cried, and the LORD heard [him], and saved him out of all his troubles.