Psalms 40:7

Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book [it is] written of me,

Then said {H559}{H8804)} I, Lo, I come {H935}{H8804)}: in the volume {H4039} of the book {H5612} it is written {H3789}{H8803)} of me,

so then I said, "Here I am! I'm coming! In the scroll of a book it is written about me.

Then I said, “Here I am, I have come— it is written about me in the scroll:

Then said I, Lo, I am come; In the roll of the book it is written of me:

Psalms 40:7 presents a profound declaration of willingness and purpose, often understood on two levels: first, as the voice of David expressing his commitment to God's will, and second, and more significantly, as a direct prophetic utterance concerning Jesus Christ.

Context

This verse is part of a psalm by David, which begins with a testimony of God's deliverance from a "horrible pit" and miry clay (Psalm 40:2). Following this thanksgiving, David declares his intention to live in obedience to God. In Psalm 40:6, the psalmist notes that God does not desire animal sacrifices and offerings as much as a willing heart. This sets the stage for verse 7, where the speaker proclaims a readiness to fulfill God's ultimate plan, which is already inscribed in the divine record.

Key Themes

  • Obedience and Submission: The core message is a radical commitment to doing God's will, prioritizing it above all ritualistic practices. It highlights that true worship is found in a life surrendered to divine purpose.
  • Prophetic Fulfillment: The declaration "in the volume of the book it is written of me" points to the pre-ordained nature of God's plan, particularly concerning the Messiah, as revealed throughout the Old Testament Scriptures.
  • Christ's Incarnation and Sacrifice: The New Testament explicitly applies this verse to Jesus Christ, identifying Him as the ultimate fulfillment of this prophecy. His coming into the world was precisely to accomplish the Father's will, culminating in His perfect sacrifice.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "in the volume of the book" translates the Hebrew megillat sepher (מְגִלַּת־סֵפֶר), which literally means "scroll of a book" or "roll of a book." This refers to a written document, likely a scroll, emphasizing that the speaker's purpose is not a spontaneous decision but a pre-ordained, divinely inscribed destiny. It highlights the authoritative and unchanging nature of God's word and plan.

Prophetic Significance

The Epistle to the Hebrews directly quotes and expounds upon this passage in Hebrews 10:5-7. There, the "I" is unequivocally identified as Jesus Christ. He is presented as the one who came into the world to perfectly fulfill God's will, offering Himself as the ultimate sacrifice that superseded all Old Testament animal sacrifices. This underscores Christ's unique role as the obedient Son, whose entire earthly ministry was a living out of what was "written of Him" in the Scriptures.

Practical Application

For believers today, Psalms 40:7 serves as a powerful reminder of the call to radical obedience. Just as Christ declared His willingness to do the Father's will, we are called to align our lives with God's revealed purposes. It encourages us to:

  • Seek God's Will: Understand that God has a plan for our lives, often revealed through His Word (2 Timothy 3:16).
  • Live in Obedience: Prioritize doing what God desires over mere ritual or outward appearance. True worship flows from a heart committed to obedience.
  • Embrace Our Purpose: Recognize that, in Christ, our lives have a divine purpose, and we are to live out what is "written of us" in God's eternal plan, empowered by the Holy Spirit.
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.

  • Hebrews 10:7

    ¶ Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.

  • Hebrews 10:9

    Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.

  • Luke 24:44

    And he said unto them, These [are] the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and [in] the prophets, and [in] the psalms, concerning me.

  • John 5:39

    Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

  • Luke 24:27

    And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:3

    For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

  • 1 Corinthians 15:4

    And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

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