Psalms 40:4

Blessed [is] that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

Blessed {H835} is that man {H1397} that maketh {H7760}{H8804)} the LORD {H3068} his trust {H4009}, and respecteth {H6437}{H8804)} not the proud {H7295}, nor such as turn aside {H7750}{H8802)} to lies {H3577}.

How blessed the man who trusts in ADONAI and does not look to the arrogant or to those who rely on things that are false.

Blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust, who has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood.

Blessed is the man that maketh Jehovah his trust, And respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

Context

Psalm 40 is a psalm of David, beginning with a powerful expression of thanksgiving for God's past deliverance from a "horrible pit" and "miry clay" (Psalm 40:2). It then transitions to a renewed commitment to God's will and a prayer for continued help amidst present troubles. Verse 4 serves as a foundational declaration of the kind of person God blesses, contrasting the faithful individual with those who rely on self or falsehood.

Key Themes

  • Trust in the LORD: The core message emphasizes that true blessing and security come from placing one's complete reliance on God. This is not merely intellectual assent but a profound dependence and confidence in His character and promises. This theme is echoed throughout Scripture, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6, which encourages trusting in the Lord with all your heart.
  • Humility vs. Pride: The verse explicitly warns against respecting "the proud." This refers to those who are arrogant, self-sufficient, or boastful, trusting in their own strength or worldly status rather than in God. Biblical wisdom consistently highlights pride as a destructive force, as noted in Proverbs 16:18.
  • Truth vs. Deception: The phrase "nor such as turn aside to lies" speaks to the importance of integrity and truthfulness. It warns against those who deviate from God's truth, whether by embracing idolatry (which is often seen as a lie in the Old Testament) or by living deceitfully. A life blessed by God is one that pursues and adheres to truth, recognizing its liberating power as taught in John 8:32.
  • The Nature of True Blessing: The term "Blessed" (Hebrew: 'ashrei) signifies a state of deep well-being, happiness, and divine favor. It's not merely about material prosperity but about a profound spiritual contentment and right standing with God, often contrasted with the fleeting gains of the wicked. This concept of blessing is foundational to many Psalms, including Psalm 1:1.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "trust," bāṭaḥ, implies a sense of leaning on, relying on, or feeling secure in something or someone. It conveys a deep confidence and absence of fear because one's hope is firmly placed. The phrase "turn aside to lies" (sāṭû kāzāḇ) suggests a deviation or straying from the path of truth, often implying a deliberate choice to embrace falsehood or idolatry.

Practical Application

This verse challenges us to examine the foundation of our lives. Where do we place our ultimate trust? Is it in our own abilities, worldly success, or the approval of others, or is it truly in the LORD? It calls us to cultivate humility, recognizing our dependence on God, and to reject arrogance in ourselves and others. Furthermore, it urges us to live with integrity, valuing truth above all else, and avoiding any path that leads to deception or compromise with falsehood. Living by these principles leads to a deep, abiding blessing that transcends circumstances.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Jeremiah 17:7

    Blessed [is] the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.

  • Jeremiah 17:8

    For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and [that] spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

  • Psalms 84:11

    For the LORD God [is] a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good [thing] will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

  • Psalms 84:12

    O LORD of hosts, blessed [is] the man that trusteth in thee.

  • Psalms 34:8

    O taste and see that the LORD [is] good: blessed [is] the man [that] trusteth in him.

  • Psalms 118:8

    [It is] better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.

  • Psalms 118:9

    [It is] better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.
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