Psalms 40:7

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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,

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 40:7 is a profound declaration, initially uttered by the psalmist David, expressing a deep commitment to God's will. Its significance is amplified by its prophetic nature, pointing forward to the ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodied this spirit of submission and came into the world to accomplish the divine plan meticulously recorded in the sacred Scriptures.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 40 is a psalm of thanksgiving and commitment, attributed to David. The preceding verses recount God's deliverance of the psalmist from a desperate situation, described vividly as a "horrible pit" and "miry clay" ([Psalms 40:2](/psalms/40-2 "Psalm 40:2 - God's Deliverance from Distress")). This act of salvation prompts a renewed dedication to God. Importantly, [Psalms 40:6](/psalms/40-6 "Psalm 40:6 - God's Desire for Obedience Over Sacrifice") establishes a crucial theological principle: God does not primarily desire animal sacrifices and burnt offerings, but rather an open ear and a willing heart. This sets the stage for the speaker's declaration in verse 7, presenting a superior form of worship—personal obedience and the fulfillment of God's inscribed will—over ritualistic observance.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Composed during the Israelite monarchy, likely by King David, this psalm reflects the covenant relationship between God and His people, where obedience was paramount. While the sacrificial system was central to Israelite worship, prophets and psalmists consistently emphasized that outward ritual without inward devotion and obedience was an abomination to God (e.g., [1 Samuel 15:22](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience is Better Than Sacrifice"), [Isaiah 1:11-17](/isaiah/1-11 "Isaiah 1:11-17 - God's Rejection of Empty Rituals")). The concept of a "volume of the book" refers to a written scroll, the common form of written documents, including sacred texts and legal decrees, in the ancient Near East, underscoring the authoritative and pre-ordained nature of the divine plan.
* **Key Themes:** The verse significantly contributes to several overarching themes within the Psalter and broader biblical narrative. It highlights the theme of **Radical Obedience and Submission to Divine Will**, presenting the ultimate form of worship as a life wholly surrendered to God's purposes, transcending mere ritual. It also underscores the **Supremacy of God's Revealed Plan**, emphasizing that God's intentions are not spontaneous but pre-ordained and inscribed. Furthermore, particularly when viewed through a New Testament lens, it powerfully introduces the theme of **Prophetic Fulfillment in the Messiah**, foreshadowing the incarnation and atoning work of Christ as the perfect embodiment of God's will, as detailed throughout the Old Testament Scriptures, which are often referred to as "the Law and the Prophets" ([Luke 24:44](/luke/24-44 "Luke 24:44 - The Law, Prophets, and Psalms Fulfilled in Christ")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Lo, I come (Hebrew, _hinnēh bāʾtî'_):** The Hebrew phrase הִנֵּה בָאתִי (hinnēh bāʾtî) is a powerful and emphatic declaration. הִנֵּה (hinnēh) is an interjection meaning "behold!" or "lo!", drawing immediate attention to the subsequent statement. בָאתִי (bāʾtî) is the Qal perfect first common singular of the verb בּוֹא (boʾ), meaning "to come" or "to enter." The perfect tense here can indicate a completed action with ongoing relevance or an immediate, resolute intention. In this context, it conveys a decisive and willing arrival or commitment, emphasizing the speaker's readiness to fulfill a specific purpose.
* **volume of the book (Hebrew, _megillat-sepher'_):** The phrase מְגִלַּת־סֵפֶר (megillat-sepher) literally translates to "scroll of a book" or "roll of a book." מְגִלָּה (megillah) refers to a scroll, a common ancient writing medium, while סֵפֶר (sepher) denotes a book or written document. This specific phrasing highlights that the "writing" is not a fleeting thought but a formally recorded, authoritative, and enduring document. It implies a pre-existing, divinely ordained blueprint or decree, underscoring the pre-ordained nature of the speaker's mission and destiny, as if it were a written contract or prophecy.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then said I, Lo, I come:"** This opening clause marks a pivotal shift from God's actions (deliverance, desire for obedience) to the speaker's response. The "I" is the psalmist, declaring a personal, willing, and decisive commitment. The "Lo, I come" is an emphatic declaration of readiness to enter into a new mode of being or to undertake a specific task, directly in response to God's revealed will that prioritizes obedience over sacrifice. It signifies a profound act of self-offering and submission.
* **"in the volume of the book [it is] written of me,"** This second clause provides the foundational reason and authority for the speaker's coming. The phrase "in the volume of the book" refers to a pre-existent, authoritative written record—a divine scroll or decree. The statement "it is written of me" indicates that the speaker's purpose, identity, and mission are not self-conceived but divinely ordained and meticulously documented. This implies a pre-ordained destiny, a role that has been prepared and recorded by God Himself, highlighting the sovereign nature of God's plan and the speaker's integral place within it.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 40:7 employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is **Prophecy**, as the declaration, though initially spoken by David, transcends his immediate context to point towards a future, greater fulfillment in the Messiah. This is a form of **Typology**, where David, as a king and servant of God, serves as a type or foreshadowing of Christ. The phrase "volume of the book" functions as a **Metaphor** for God's eternal decree or the totality of His revealed will, particularly as recorded in the Scriptures, implying a divine blueprint for salvation history. The emphatic "Lo, I come" is an example of **Direct Address** and **Personal Declaration**, lending immediacy and profound intentionality to the speaker's commitment. The entire verse is imbued with **Anticipation**, creating a sense of foreknowledge and pre-ordained purpose that resonates deeply with the unfolding narrative of redemption.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 40:7 stands as a theological cornerstone, underscoring the biblical truth that true worship and righteousness are found not in outward ritual but in radical, heartfelt obedience to God's revealed will. It highlights the pre-eminence of God's sovereign plan, indicating that key figures and events in redemptive history are not accidental but divinely inscribed and orchestrated from eternity. This verse, therefore, bridges the Old Testament's emphasis on covenant obedience with the New Testament's revelation of Christ as the ultimate embodiment of that obedience, serving as the perfect sacrifice that fulfills and supersedes all previous forms of worship.

* [Hebrews 10:5-7](/hebrews/10-5 "Hebrews 10:5-7 - Christ's Obedience Fulfills the Law")
* [Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant of Inward Law")
* [Luke 24:44](/luke/24-44 "Luke 24:44 - Fulfillment of Scripture in Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 40:7 calls believers to a profound reflection on the nature of their own commitment to God. Just as the psalmist, and ultimately Christ, declared a willing submission to the divine blueprint, so too are we invited to align our lives with God's perfect will, prioritizing heartfelt obedience over mere external religious observance. This verse challenges us to consider what "volume of the book" might be written of us—not in terms of pre-ordained destiny in the same Messianic sense, but in terms of the unique purpose, gifts, and calling God has for each of His children within His grand redemptive narrative. Our lives, empowered by the Holy Spirit, are to be living expressions of God's truth, demonstrating a readiness to say, "Lo, I come" to whatever God calls us to do, trusting that His plan for us is good and ultimately brings Him glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you being called to move beyond mere ritual to radical, heartfelt obedience to God's will?**
* **How does understanding God's pre-ordained plan, as hinted at in "the volume of the book," impact your trust in His sovereignty amidst life's uncertainties?**
* **What does it mean for you, personally, to live out what is "written of you" in God's eternal purposes, as revealed through His Word and Spirit?**

### FAQ

**What is the "volume of the book" mentioned in Psalms 40:7?**

Answer: The "volume of the book" (Hebrew: _megillat-sepher_) refers to a written scroll or document. In its immediate context, it likely signifies a divine decree, a pre-ordained plan, or perhaps even the sacred Scriptures themselves, which contain God's will and prophecies. The phrase emphasizes that the speaker's purpose is not spontaneous but divinely inscribed and authoritative. When applied to Christ, as in [Hebrews 10:7](/hebrews/10-7 "Hebrews 10:7 - Christ's Obedience to God's Written Will"), it refers to the entirety of God's redemptive plan as revealed throughout the Old Testament, which pointed to His coming and atoning work.

**How does Psalms 40:7 relate to Jesus Christ?**

Answer: The New Testament, specifically the Epistle to the Hebrews, directly quotes and applies Psalms 40:7 to Jesus Christ in [Hebrews 10:5-7](/hebrews/10-5 "Hebrews 10:5-7 - Christ's Sacrifice Fulfills the Law"). In this passage, the "I" who declares "Lo, I come" is unequivocally identified as Jesus. He came into the world not to offer animal sacrifices, which could never truly take away sins, but to perfectly fulfill the Father's will through His obedient life and ultimate self-sacrifice on the cross. This verse, therefore, is a profound prophecy of Christ's incarnation and His perfect, once-for-all atonement, which superseded the Old Covenant sacrificial system. His entire mission was to accomplish what was "written of Him" in the divine plan.

**Does this verse imply that our lives are also "written in a book"?**

Answer: While Psalms 40:7 primarily speaks of the unique, pre-ordained mission of the psalmist and, ultimately, Christ, the principle of God's sovereign plan can be broadly applied to believers. The Bible teaches that God has a purpose for each individual life (e.g., [Ephesians 2:10](/ephesians/2-10 "Ephesians 2:10 - Created for Good Works"), [Jeremiah 29:11](/jeremiah/29-11 "Jeremiah 29:11 - God's Plans for Hope and a Future")). While not in the same prophetic sense as Christ's unique mission, our lives are part of God's larger narrative, and He has prepared good works for us to walk in. We are called to discover and live out His will, which is revealed through His Word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, thereby fulfilling the divine purpose for which we were created.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 40:7 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While initially a declaration of David's commitment, the Spirit-inspired words transcend their immediate context to become a direct prophetic utterance concerning the Messiah. The Epistle to the Hebrews explicitly confirms this, quoting the verse in [Hebrews 10:5-7](/hebrews/10-5 "Hebrews 10:5-7 - Christ's Obedience and Sacrifice") and unequivocally identifying Jesus as the one who declares, "Lo, I come." Christ's incarnation was not a spontaneous event but the pre-ordained culmination of God's eternal plan, meticulously "written" in the divine "volume of the book"—the Old Testament Scriptures that consistently pointed to Him ([Luke 24:44](/luke/24-44 "Luke 24:44 - Fulfillment of Scripture in Christ")). He came into the world precisely to accomplish the Father's will, offering Himself as the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice that superseded all animal offerings and established a new covenant ([Hebrews 10:9-10](/hebrews/10-9 "Hebrews 10:9-10 - Christ's Sacrifice Sanctifies Us")). Jesus' entire life, from His birth to His death and resurrection, was a living embodiment of perfect obedience, fulfilling every jot and tittle of what was "written of Him" ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). He is the obedient Son, whose willing submission to the Father's plan provides the sole basis for humanity's redemption and reconciliation with God ([Romans 5:19](/romans/5-19 "Romans 5:19 - Obedience of Christ")).

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

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: