Psalms 40:9

KJV

I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.

KJV (with Strong's)

I have preached {H1319}{H8765)} righteousness {H6664} in the great {H7227} congregation {H6951}: lo, I have not refrained {H3607}{H8799)} my lips {H8193}, O LORD {H3068}, thou knowest {H3045}{H8804)}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I have proclaimed what is right in the great assembly; I did not restrain my lips, ADONAI, as you know.

Berean Standard Bible

I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; behold, I do not seal my lips, as You, O LORD, do know.

American Standard Version

I have proclaimed glad tidings of righteousness in the great assembly; Lo, I will not refrain my lips, O Jehovah, thou knowest.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 40:9 presents the psalmist's resolute declaration of his unreserved commitment to publicly proclaim God's righteousness within the assembled community. It serves as a powerful testament to a life transformed by divine intervention and deliverance, manifesting in a bold, unwavering witness to God's character and His saving acts. The verse culminates in an appeal to the Lord's omniscience, affirming the psalmist's sincerity and faithfulness in his public testimony, recognizing God as the ultimate validator of his heart and words.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 40 is a deeply personal yet publicly resonant psalm, often attributed to David, which transitions from a profound testimony of deliverance to a renewed commitment to God's will. The psalm opens with the psalmist's patient wait for the Lord, who then drew him out of a "horrible pit" and "miry clay," setting his feet upon a rock and establishing his steps, giving him a "new song" of praise ([Psalms 40:1-3](/psalms/40-1-3 "Psalms 40:1-3 - Waiting for the Lord's Deliverance")). This personal deliverance forms the bedrock for his subsequent dedication. The preceding verses emphasize the futility of mere sacrifices and offerings in comparison to a heart delighting in God's law and a willingness to do His will, as articulated in [Psalms 40:6-8](/psalms/40-6-8 "Psalms 40:6-8 - Obedience Over Sacrifice"). Verse 9 naturally flows from this internal delight and obedience, demonstrating that true gratitude and spiritual commitment are not private matters but find their outward expression in public proclamation. The "new song" of praise mentioned earlier is now articulated as a public sermon, sharing the very righteousness that brought about his salvation and transformed his life.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Composed likely during the monarchy, potentially by King David, this psalm reflects the vibrant spiritual and communal life within ancient Israel. "The great congregation" (Hebrew: _qâhâl rab_) refers to a formal, large-scale assembly of the people, typically gathered at the tabernacle or temple for worship, national festivals (like Passover, Pentecost, or Tabernacles), or significant communal events. In such a setting, public declarations of God's acts and attributes were common and expected, often delivered by leaders, priests, or prophets. The psalmist, perhaps David himself in his role as king and spiritual leader, stands in this tradition, not merely as a private worshiper but as a public figure whose personal experience of God's faithfulness compels him to teach and testify to the wider community. This public witness was integral to the covenant relationship, reinforcing communal identity, reminding the people of God's character, and instructing them in their obligations to Him. It was a means of perpetuating the nation's spiritual heritage and fostering corporate worship.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several core themes prevalent in Psalms 40 and the broader Psalter. Foremost is the **Public Proclamation of Divine Truth**, where the psalmist's personal experience of God's saving power compels him to share it openly. This underscores that true faith is not merely internal but finds outward expression, setting an example for communal witness and evangelism. This theme is intricately linked with **Unwavering Faithfulness and Boldness**, as the declaration "I have not refrained my lips" highlights a courageous and consistent commitment to speaking God's word without reservation, regardless of potential opposition or fear. The psalmist's unhindered speech demonstrates a deep conviction in the message he delivers. Furthermore, the concluding phrase, "O LORD, thou knowest," emphasizes the theme of **God's Omniscience and Approval**. It serves as an appeal to God's perfect knowledge, affirming the psalmist's sincerity and the truthfulness of his proclamation. This aligns with the broader biblical understanding that God sees the heart and discerns true motives, as seen in [1 Samuel 16:7](/1_samuel/16-7 "1 Samuel 16:7 - God Looks at the Heart"), where the Lord tells Samuel, "For the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart." The psalmist seeks divine validation above human acclaim.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Preached (Hebrew, _bâsar'_):** This verb (H1319) means "to announce (glad news)" or "to bring good tidings." While it can simply mean "to announce" or "to proclaim," its frequent use in contexts of joyful tidings elevates it beyond mere reporting. Here, the psalmist is not just stating a fact but joyfully proclaiming the "good news" of God's righteousness—His just character, His covenant faithfulness, and His saving acts. It implies a vibrant, intentional, and perhaps even celebratory declaration, akin to evangelism.
* **Righteousness (Hebrew, _tsedeq'_):** The Hebrew word (H6664) refers to God's inherent moral rectitude, His justice, and His faithfulness to His covenant promises. It is not merely a human ethical standard but describes God's perfect nature and His consistent actions in upholding justice and delivering His people. When the psalmist "preaches righteousness," he is proclaiming God's attributes and His righteous dealings with humanity, particularly His saving righteousness that delivers the afflicted and upholds the just, demonstrating His fidelity to His covenant.
* **Refrained (Hebrew, _kâlâʼ'_):** The verb (H3607) means "to restrict," "to hold back," "to restrain," or "to withhold." The psalmist's emphatic declaration, "I have not refrained my lips," signifies an unhindered, unreserved, and courageous proclamation. It suggests a complete lack of hesitation, fear, or compromise in delivering God's message, indicating a deep conviction and an urgent desire to make God's truth known without reservation or censorship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I have preached righteousness in the great congregation:":** This clause establishes the psalmist's active and public role as a herald of divine truth. The "righteousness" he proclaims is not his own moral uprightness but God's—His character, His just ways, and His saving acts on behalf of His people. The setting, "the great congregation," emphasizes the public, communal nature of this witness, indicating that his faith and God's work in his life are not to be kept private but boldly shared among the assembled people of God, serving as both testimony and instruction.
* **"lo, I have not refrained my lips,":** This interjection ("lo," a particle of emphasis or surprise) and subsequent declaration underscore the psalmist's boldness, consistency, and unreserved commitment. It highlights his unwavering resolve to speak God's word without holding back, without fear of reprisal, and without compromise. This phrase implies a continuous, unhindered flow of testimony, demonstrating a profound dedication to his prophetic or witnessing role, ensuring that the message of God's righteousness is fully and freely delivered.
* **"O LORD, thou knowest.":** This concluding appeal serves as a profound affirmation of sincerity and an invocation of divine witness. The psalmist calls upon God's omniscience (H3045, _yâdaʻ_, "to know"), acknowledging that the Lord (H3068, _Yᵉhôvâh_) knows the truth of his heart and the authenticity of his proclamation. It's a declaration that his public witness is not for human applause or recognition but is genuinely offered before the all-seeing eyes of God, seeking His approval and validation as the ultimate judge of his motives and actions.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 40:9 employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is **Declaration**, as the psalmist directly states his actions and intentions with strong declarative statements ("I have preached," "I have not refrained"). The phrase "lo, I have not refrained my lips" functions as a form of **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the psalmist's complete and unreserved commitment to proclamation, suggesting an almost boundless outpouring of truth without any hindrance. The direct address "O LORD" is an example of **Apostrophe**, where the speaker turns away from the immediate human audience to address God directly, adding a layer of intimacy, solemnity, and personal accountability to the appeal. The entire verse serves as a powerful **Testimony**, a personal account of the psalmist's faithfulness and his dedication to God's service, intended to instruct, encourage, and inspire the listening community to likewise declare God's truth.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 40:9 speaks profoundly to the nature of divine revelation and the human response to it. Having experienced God's deliverance and embraced His will, the psalmist understands that such a profound encounter necessitates public proclamation. This is not merely an optional activity but an overflow of a transformed heart, a spiritual obligation to make known the character and saving acts of God. It highlights that true worship extends beyond private devotion to communal witness, where the individual's testimony contributes to the corporate understanding and praise of God's righteousness. The psalmist's appeal to God's knowledge reinforces the theological truth that genuine faith is rooted in sincerity of heart, which God alone fully perceives and validates, making the public declaration an act of worship directed ultimately to Him. This verse establishes a pattern for all believers: personal experience of God's grace leads to public proclamation of His truth.

* [Psalms 119:46](/psalms/119-46 "Psalms 119:46 - Speaking of God's Testimonies Before Kings")
* [Isaiah 61:1](/isaiah/61-1 "Isaiah 61:1 - The Spirit of the Lord is Upon Me to Preach Good Tidings")
* [Romans 10:9-10](/romans/10-9-10 "Romans 10:9-10 - Confession and Belief Lead to Salvation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 40:9 serves as a profound challenge and encouragement for believers today regarding their role in proclaiming God's truth. The psalmist's example calls us to move beyond a purely private faith to a bold, public witness of God's righteousness and saving grace. This means not only being ready to share the "good news" of Jesus Christ with our words but also living lives that embody the righteousness we proclaim, allowing our actions to reinforce our message. It prompts us to examine whether we are "refraining our lips" due to fear of rejection, apathy, perceived inadequacy, or a mistaken belief that faith is purely a personal matter. Our sincerity in this endeavor, as the psalmist noted, is ultimately known and approved by God, who sees beyond outward actions to the heart. This verse reminds us that our testimony, whether in formal settings like church gatherings or in everyday conversations with colleagues, friends, and family, is a vital part of our worship and our participation in God's ongoing work in the world. It inspires us to embrace our calling to be light and salt, speaking truth boldly and without reservation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the psalmist's public declaration challenge my own witness for God in my community and beyond?**
* **In what specific ways might I be "refraining my lips" from proclaiming God's truth, and what steps can I take to overcome these hindrances?**
* **What does it mean for God to "know" the sincerity of my proclamation, and how does this awareness affect my motivation for sharing my faith?**
* **How can I better understand and articulate God's "righteousness" in a way that is both biblically sound and relevant to those around me today?**

### FAQ
**What does "the great congregation" refer to in this verse?**

Answer: "The great congregation" refers to a large, formal assembly of the people of Israel, likely gathered for worship, a religious festival, or a significant national event at the tabernacle or temple. It signifies a public, communal setting, contrasting with private devotion. The psalmist's proclamation is not whispered in secret but boldly declared before the entire community, emphasizing the public nature of his testimony and his commitment to share God's truth with all who are gathered, reinforcing the corporate identity and faith of God's people.

**Why does the psalmist conclude with "O LORD, thou knowest"?**

Answer: The psalmist concludes with "O LORD, thou knowest" as a profound appeal to God's omniscience and as an affirmation of his own sincerity and integrity. It serves several crucial purposes: it validates the truthfulness and genuineness of his preceding declaration ("I have preached righteousness... I have not refrained my lips"), asserting that his words are not empty boasts but come from a true heart. It acknowledges that God is the ultimate witness and judge of his faithfulness and motives, seeing beyond outward actions to the heart, as highlighted in [Jeremiah 17:10](/jeremiah/17-10 "Jeremiah 17:10 - The Lord Searches the Heart"). Finally, it seeks divine approval, placing his public witness squarely before the Lord for His validation rather than seeking human applause or recognition. This phrase underscores the psalmist's deep personal relationship with God and his desire for divine commendation above all else.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 40:9 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and ministry of Jesus Christ. While the psalmist, perhaps David, delightedly proclaimed God's righteousness, Jesus is the very embodiment and perfect Proclaimer of that righteousness. His entire earthly ministry was a public declaration of God's saving truth, from His inaugural sermon in Nazareth, where He announced His mission to "preach the gospel to the poor" ([Luke 4:18-19](/luke/4-18-19 "Luke 4:18-19 - Jesus' Inaugural Sermon")), to His countless teachings and miracles performed openly before "great congregations" throughout Galilee and Judea. He never "refrained His lips" from speaking God's truth, even in the face of intense opposition, culminating in His faithful testimony before Pilate ([John 18:37](/john/18-37 "John 18:37 - Jesus' Testimony to Pilate")) and His ultimate sacrifice. Furthermore, the preceding verses of Psalms 40, which speak of delighting in God's law and the inadequacy of animal sacrifices, are directly applied to Christ in [Hebrews 10:5-7](/hebrews/10-5-7 "Hebrews 10:5-7 - Christ's Obedience and Sacrifice"), showing that Jesus perfectly fulfilled God's will through His obedient life and ultimate sacrifice. This sacrifice is the supreme act of God's righteousness and the means of salvation for humanity. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus inaugurated the new covenant, empowering His followers, through the Holy Spirit ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Power to be Witnesses")), to continue His mission of proclaiming God's righteousness and the good news of salvation to "the great congregation" of all nations, fulfilling the Great Commission to "go therefore and make disciples of all nations" ([Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission")). Thus, Christ is both the perfect Proclaimer and the ultimate content of the righteousness preached.

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

Psalms 22:25

My praise [shall be] of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him.

Mark 16:15

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Mark 16:16

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Psalms 22:22

¶ I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.

Psalms 71:15

My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness [and] thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers [thereof].

Psalms 71:18

Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto [this] generation, [and] thy power to every one [that] is to come.

Psalms 119:13

¶ With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.