Psalms 40:16

Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.

Let all those that seek {H1245}{H8764)} thee rejoice {H7797}{H8799)} and be glad {H8055}{H8799)} in thee: let such as love {H157}{H8802)} thy salvation {H8668} say {H559}{H8799)} continually {H8548}, The LORD {H3068} be magnified {H1431}{H8799)}.

But may all those who seek you be glad and take joy in you. May those who love your salvation say always, "ADONAI is great and glorious!"

May all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; may those who love Your salvation always say, “The LORD be magnified!”

Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: Let such as love thy salvation say continually, Jehovah be magnified.

Commentary

Context of Psalms 40:16

Psalms 40 is a deeply personal psalm of David, often understood in two parts: a profound song of thanksgiving for God's past deliverance (verses 1-10) and an urgent plea for help in present and future distress (verses 11-17). Verse 16 falls within the concluding section of the psalm, shifting from David's individual experience to a hopeful, communal prayer for all who trust in God. It expresses a desire that the righteous, who have seen God's faithfulness, will continue to rejoice and magnify His name, contrasting with the despair faced by the wicked described elsewhere in the psalm. This verse anticipates a time when God's people will universally celebrate His saving work, echoing the deliverance described earlier in the psalm, such as being pulled out of a "horrible pit" (Psalms 40:2).

Key Themes and Messages

  • Joy in God Alone: The verse highlights that true and lasting joy comes from a relationship with God, not from external circumstances. Those who "seek Him" find their gladness and rejoicing *in Him*, recognizing His sovereignty and goodness.
  • Love for Salvation: It speaks to a deep appreciation for God's saving acts, whether spiritual redemption, physical deliverance, or divine intervention in life's challenges. This love for God's salvation is a driving force for continuous praise.
  • Continuous Magnification: The ultimate response of those who experience God's grace and salvation is an ongoing declaration of His greatness. "The LORD be magnified" is a call to exalt God, proclaiming His supreme worthiness of praise and honor.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "seek" (baqash) implies an earnest, diligent pursuit, not a casual inquiry. It suggests a proactive desire for God's presence, will, and favor. The phrase "rejoice and be glad" uses two distinct Hebrew terms (samach and gil) that together convey a deep, effusive joy, often associated with celebration and worship. "Salvation" (yeshu'ah) is a rich Old Testament term encompassing deliverance, victory, help, and well-being, pointing to God as the ultimate source of all good things. To "magnify" (gadal) means to make great, to exalt, or to declare God's greatness, acknowledging His supreme power and glory over all creation.

Related Scriptures

This verse resonates with several other passages that emphasize seeking God, rejoicing in Him, and magnifying His name:

Practical Application

For believers today, Psalms 40:16 serves as a powerful reminder of the appropriate response to God's presence and saving work. It calls us to:

  1. Prioritize Seeking God: Our spiritual journey should be marked by an active, earnest pursuit of God through prayer, His Word, and fellowship.
  2. Cultivate Inward Joy: True joy is found in God Himself, independent of circumstances. This joy is a strength that sustains us through trials.
  3. Live a Life of Praise: Our love for God's salvation should naturally overflow into continuous praise and public acknowledgment of His greatness. This daily act of magnifying the Lord inspires others and deepens our own faith.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 35:27

    Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.

  • Psalms 68:3

    But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.

  • Acts 19:17

    And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

  • Psalms 119:123

    ¶ Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.

  • Psalms 105:3

    Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.

  • Philippians 3:7

    But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

  • Philippians 3:9

    ¶ And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
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