TRV
Translation
American Standard Version
Be pleased, O Jehovah, to deliver me: Make haste to help me, O Jehovah.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Let it please thee, O Lord, to deliuer mee: make haste, O Lord, to helpe me.
Young's Literal Translation
Be pleased, O Jehovah, to deliver me, O Jehovah, for my help make haste.
In the KJVVerse 14,539 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Psalms 40 verses 11–17
11 ¶ Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.
12 For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me.
13 Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me.
14 Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.
15 Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha.
16 Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.
17 But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.
The psalmist, having meditated upon the work of redemption, and spoken of it in the person of the Messiah, now comes to make improvement of the doctrine of his mediation between us and God, and therefore speaks in his own person. Christ having done his Father's will, and finished his work, and given orders for the preaching of the gospel to every creature, we are encouraged to come boldly to the throne of grace, for mercy and grace.
I. This may encourage us to pray for the mercy of God, and to put ourselves under the protection of that mercy, Psa 40:11. "Lord, thou hast not spared thy Son, nor withheld him; withhold not thou thy tender mercies then, which thou hast laid up for us in him; for wilt thou not with him also freely give us all things? Rom 8:32. Let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me." The best saints are in continual danger, and see themselves undone if they be not continually preserved by the grace of God; and the everlasting lovingkindness and truth of God are what we have to depend upon for our preservation to the heavenly kingdom, Psa 61:7.
II. This may encourage us in reference to the guilt of sin, that Jesus Christ has done that towards our discharge from it which sacrifice and offering could not do. See here, 1. The frightful sight he had of sin, Psa 40:12. This was it that made the discovery he was now favoured with of a Redeemer very welcome to him. He saw his iniquities to be evils, the worst of evils; he saw that they compassed him about; in all the reviews of his life, and his reflections upon each step of it, still he discovered something amiss. The threatening consequences of his sin surrounded him. Look which way he would, he saw some mischief or other waiting for him, which he was conscious to himself his sins had deserved. He saw them taking hold of him, arresting him, as the bailiff does the poor debtor; he saw them to be innumerable and more than the hairs of his head. Convinced awakened consciences are apprehensive of danger from the numberless number of the sins of infirmity which seem small as hairs, but, being numerous, are very dangerous. Who can understand his errors? God numbers our hairs (Mat 10:30), which yet we cannot number; so he keeps an account of our sins, which we keep no account of. The sight of sin so oppressed him that he could not hold up his head - I am not able to look up; much less could he keep up his heart - therefore my heart fails me. Note, The sight of our sins in their own colours would drive us to distraction, if we had not at the same time some sight of a Saviour. 2. The careful recourse he had to God under the sense of sin (Psa 40:13); seeing himself brought by his sins to the very brink of ruin, eternal ruin, with what a holy passion does he cry out, "Be pleased, O Lord! to deliver me (Psa 40:13); O save me from the wrath to come, and the present terrors I am in through the apprehensions of that wrath! I am undone, I die, I perish, without speedy relief. In a case of this nature, where the bliss of an immortal soul is concerned, delays are dangerous; therefore, O Lord! make haste to help me."
III. This may encourage us to hope for victory over our spiritual enemies that seek after our souls to destroy them (Psa 40:14), the roaring lion that goes about continually seeking to devour. If Christ has triumphed over them, we through him, shall be more than conquerors. In the belief of this we may pray, with humble boldness, Let them be ashamed and confounded together, and driven backward, Psa 40:14. Let them be desolate, Psa 40:15. Both the conversion of a sinner and the glorification of a saint are great disappointments to Satan, who does his utmost, with all his power and subtlety, to hinder both. Now, our Lord Jesus having undertaken to bring about the salvation of all his chosen, we may in faith pray that, in both these ways, that great adversary may be confounded. When a child of God is brought into that horrible pit, and the miry clay, Satan cries Aha! aha! thinking he has gained his point; but he shall rage when he sees the brand plucked out of the fire, and shall be desolate, for a reward of his shame. The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan! The accuser of the brethren is cast out.
IV. This may encourage all that seek God, and love his salvation, to rejoice in him and to praise him, Psa 40:16. See here, 1. The character of good people. Conformably to the laws of natural religion, they seek God, desire his favour, and in all their exigencies apply to him, as a people should seek unto their God; and conformably to the laws of revealed religion they love his salvation, that great salvation of which the prophets enquired and searched diligently, which the Redeemer undertook to work out when he said, Lo, I come. All that shall be saved love the salvation not only as a salvation from hell, but a salvation from sin. 2. The happiness secured to good people by this prophetic prayer. Those that seek God shall rejoice and be glad in him, and with good reason, for he will not only be found of them but will be their bountiful rewarder. Those that love his salvation shall be filled with the joy of his salvation, and shall say continually, The Lord be magnified; and thus they shall have a heaven upon earth. Blessed are those that are thus still praising God.
V. This may encourage the saints, in distress and affliction, to trust in God and comfort themselves in him, Psa 40:17. David himself was one of these: I am poor and needy (a king, perhaps now on the throne, and yet, being troubled in spirit, he calls himself poor and needy, in want and distress, lost and undone without a Saviour), yet the Lord thinketh upon me in and through the Mediator, by whom we are made accepted. Men forget the poor and needy, and seldom think of them; but God's thoughts, towards them (which he had spoken of Psa 40:5) are their support and comfort. They may assure themselves that God is their help under their troubles, and will be, in due time, their deliverer out of their troubles, and will make no long tarrying; for the vision is for an appointed time, and therefore, though it tarry, we may wait for it, for it shall come; it will come, it will not tarry.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 11–17. Public domain.
Copy as
Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 40
"Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me" [Psalm 40:13]. As if he were saying, "'If You will, You can make me clean.' [Matthew 8:2] Be pleased to deliver me. O Lord, look upon me to help me." Look, that is, on the penitent members, members that lie in pain, members that are writhing under the instruments of the surgeon; but still in hope.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
Copy as
Continue studying Psalms 40:13 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
Psalm 40:13 is a fervent and urgent prayer from the psalmist, marking a pivotal shift in a psalm that begins with thanksgiving for past deliverance but transitions to a desperate plea for immediate rescue. This verse encapsulates the psalmist's profound reliance on God in a time of pressing need, crying out for swift divine intervention and expressing a deep desire for God to act out of His benevolent will to save and assist. It is a timeless expression of a believer's dependence on divine aid amidst overwhelming adversity.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalm 40:13 employs several effective literary devices to convey its urgent and heartfelt message. Repetition is prominent with the double invocation of "O LORD," which serves to emphasize the psalmist's direct address to God, highlighting the intensity of his prayer and his singular focus on divine assistance. This repetition also functions as a form of Anaphora, where both clauses begin with the same fervent address. The verse also demonstrates a powerful use of the Imperative Mood ("Be pleased," "make haste"), which, while not demanding, conveys the psalmist's earnest desire and the critical nature of his situation, underscoring his desperate need. The structure of the verse itself, moving from a plea for God's favorable disposition to an urgent request for swift action, creates a palpable sense of escalating Urgency and profound Dependence. The verse stands as a concise yet potent example of Direct Address in prayer, laying bare the psalmist's immediate need before his God.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 40:13 powerfully articulates the believer's absolute dependence on God in times of crisis, underscoring that even those who have experienced God's past faithfulness still require His ongoing and immediate intervention. It reveals God as the ultimate source of deliverance and help, a God who is not only capable but also willing to act on behalf of His people, especially when they appeal to His good pleasure and benevolent character. This verse models a posture of humble yet urgent prayer, reminding us that God invites us to lay bare our most pressing needs before Him, trusting in His sovereignty and His steadfast love to rescue and sustain. It affirms that God's timing and His willingness to act are rooted in His divine attributes, providing comfort and confidence to those who cry out to Him, knowing He delights in showing mercy and delivering His chosen ones.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 40:13 offers profound encouragement and a template for our own prayer lives. It reminds us that it is not only permissible but necessary to bring our most urgent and pressing needs directly to God in prayer, even when we feel overwhelmed by our circumstances or our own failures. David's raw honesty and desperate plea teach us to lay bare our fears, vulnerabilities, and the immediacy of our needs before the Lord with confidence in His ability and willingness to help. This verse challenges us to cultivate a continuous posture of dependence on God, recognizing that His grace and help are not one-time events but ongoing provisions for every season of struggle. It invites us to appeal to God's character, asking Him to act not out of obligation, but out of His good pleasure and divine will to deliver and sustain His people, trusting that He delights in responding to the cries of His children with compassion and power.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why does David, who has already experienced God's deliverance (Psalm 40:1-5), still need to cry out for help?
Answer: David's ongoing need for deliverance highlights a crucial theological truth: the Christian life is a journey of continuous dependence on God's grace and intervention. Past deliverances are testimonies to God's faithfulness, but they do not negate the reality of new trials, adversaries, and personal struggles that arise. Just as the Israelites needed daily manna in the wilderness, believers continually need God's fresh provision and rescue. David's prayer in Psalm 40:13 acknowledges that while God has been faithful, the present moment demands a renewed, urgent plea for His help, demonstrating that even the most devout individuals face ongoing challenges that require divine assistance. This dynamic is a pattern seen throughout Scripture, emphasizing that our reliance on God is not a one-time event but a lifelong posture of faith and trust.
Is it appropriate to tell God to "make haste" or to demand He act quickly?
Answer: The phrase "make haste" (Hebrew: chûwsh) is an imperative, but in the context of biblical prayer, it is not a demand in the sense of dictating to God. Rather, it expresses the psalmist's intense urgency, deep distress, and profound desire for God's immediate intervention. It is a passionate plea, born out of desperation and trust, appealing to God's character as a responsive and powerful deliverer. This kind of urgent prayer is common in the Psalms (e.g., Psalm 70:1) and reflects a healthy, honest relationship with God where one can pour out their heart. It acknowledges God's sovereignty while expressing human need, trusting that God, in His wisdom and love, will respond in His perfect timing, which may indeed be swift according to His divine plan.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 40:13, a fervent cry for deliverance and swift help, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. David's plea for rescue from overwhelming troubles and adversaries foreshadows the ultimate deliverance accomplished by the Messiah. Jesus, in His earthly ministry, often faced overwhelming opposition and distress, culminating in His agony in Gethsemane where He Himself cried out to the Father for deliverance, though ultimately submitting to God's will (Matthew 26:39). His death on the cross was the ultimate act of God's "delivering" action, not just for one individual, but for all humanity, snatching us from the power of sin and death and translating us into the kingdom of His beloved Son (Colossians 1:13-14). The "haste" for which David prayed is seen in the decisive, once-for-all victory of Christ's resurrection, which swiftly and definitively triumphed over death, ensuring that God's help arrived at the perfect, appointed time (1 Corinthians 15:54-57). For believers, Christ is the ultimate "help" and "deliverer," who not only rescues us from spiritual bondage but also continually intercedes for us and empowers us through the Holy Spirit to face life's ongoing challenges (Hebrews 7:25). Thus, David's ancient cry echoes the deep human need for a Savior, a need fully met in the swift and decisive redemptive work of Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).