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Psalms 40:5

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Many, O LORD my God, [are] thy wonderful works [which] thou hast done, and thy thoughts [which are] to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: [if] I would declare and speak [of them], they are more than can be numbered.

Many {H7227}, O LORD {H3068} my God {H430}, are thy wonderful {H6381}{H8737)} works which thou hast done {H6213}{H8804)}, and thy thoughts {H4284} which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order {H6186}{H8800)} unto thee: if I would declare {H5046}{H8686)} and speak {H1696}{H8762)} of them, they are more {H6105}{H8804)} than can be numbered {H5608}{H8763)}.

How much you have done, ADONAI my God! Your wonders and your thoughts toward us -none can compare with you! I would proclaim them, I would speak about them; but there's too much to tell!

Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders You have done, and the plans You have for us— none can compare to You— if I proclaim and declare them, they are more than I can count.

Many, O Jehovah my God, are the wonderful works which thou hast done, And thy thoughts which are to us-ward: They cannot be set in order unto thee; If I would declare and speak of them, They are more than can be numbered.

Commentary

Psalm 40:5 is a profound declaration of God's immeasurable greatness and His benevolent intentions towards humanity. It expresses a heart overflowing with praise for the Lord's countless acts of grace and wisdom.

Context

This verse is nestled within a psalm of thanksgiving and renewed commitment, traditionally attributed to King David. Psalm 40 begins with the psalmist recounting a miraculous deliverance from a "horrible pit" (Psalm 40:2), leading to a song of praise and a refreshed dedication to doing God's will. Verse 5 serves as a powerful statement of God's character and actions that warrant such thanksgiving, highlighting the vastness of His divine intervention and care before the psalmist reaffirms his obedience.

Key Themes

  • God's Boundless Works: The phrase "thy wonderful works which thou hast done" emphasizes the sheer quantity and extraordinary nature of God's actions throughout creation, history, and in individual lives. These are not merely good deeds but miraculous, awe-inspiring interventions.
  • Divine Providence and Benevolence: "Thy thoughts which are to us-ward" reveals God's active, purposeful, and loving concern for humanity. It speaks to His consistent, benevolent planning and intention for His people, assuring them of His continuous care. This resonates with the comforting truth found in Jeremiah 29:11, where God declares His thoughts are of peace and a future.
  • Inexpressible Greatness: The declaration that God's works and thoughts "cannot be reckoned up in order" and are "more than can be numbered" underscores His infinite wisdom, power, and love. It highlights the human inability to fully comprehend or catalogue the extent of His majesty and goodness, inviting humility and profound adoration.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "wonderful works" is pele' (פלא), which conveys the idea of something extraordinary, miraculous, or incomprehensible, often referring to acts that only God can perform. It signifies divine intervention that goes beyond natural explanation. The term for "thoughts" is machashavah (מחשבה), referring to designs, purposes, or intentions, emphasizing God's deliberate and well-meaning plans for His people. The repetition of "cannot be reckoned up" and "more than can be numbered" powerfully conveys the idea of infinitude, echoing the psalmist's awe at God's incomprehensible nature, similar to how Psalm 139:17 describes God's thoughts as precious and numerous as the sand.

Practical Application

Psalm 40:5 calls believers to a posture of constant gratitude and worship. Reflecting on the countless blessings, deliverances, and providential care in our lives helps us to recognize God's active presence. This verse encourages us to:

  • Cultivate a Heart of Gratitude: Take time to acknowledge and thank God for His specific "wonderful works" in your life, no matter how small they seem.
  • Trust in God's Purpose: Rest in the assurance that God's "thoughts are to us-ward." Even in times of difficulty or uncertainty, His ultimate intentions for His children are good and purposeful.
  • Embrace Humility and Worship: Recognizing the unsearchable depth of God's wisdom and power fosters humility and deepens our worship, reminding us that He is infinitely greater than our understanding.

This verse serves as an eternal reminder of God's active, loving, and immeasurable involvement in the lives of His people, prompting continuous praise and trust.

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 (May 20, 2025) 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

  • Jeremiah 29:11 (29 votes)

    For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

  • Psalms 139:17 (18 votes)

    ¶ How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!

  • Psalms 139:18 (18 votes)

    [If] I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.

  • Exodus 15:11 (14 votes)

    Who [is] like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who [is] like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful [in] praises, doing wonders?

  • Psalms 71:15 (13 votes)

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

  • Psalms 92:5 (12 votes)

    O LORD, how great are thy works! [and] thy thoughts are very deep.

  • Psalms 136:4 (11 votes)

    To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.