Psalm 40:9-17 NIV

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 40:11

Verse 11 11O thou Jehovah! withhold not thy tender mercies from me We now see more clearly, what I have just adverted to, that David speaks of his own thankfulness, that he might secure a continuance of God’s favor towards him; and that he opened his mouth in the praises of God, that he might continue to acquire new favors, against which our perverse and ungrateful silence very often closes the gate. We ought, therefore, carefully to observe the relation which the clause, in which David affirms... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 40:12

Verse 12 12.For innumerable evils have compassed me on all sides This phrase, in the original, denotes more than can be expressed in an English translation; for he says, עלי alay, upon me, meaning by this, that he was not only beset on all sides, but that also an accumulation of evils pressed upon his head. He, however, does not now complain of being punished unjustly, or above his desert, but rather confesses plainly that it is the just recompense of his sins which is rendered to him. For... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 40:13

Verse 13 13.Be thou pleased, O Jehovah! to deliver me. The verb which David here makes use of, signifies to desire a thing from pure kindness and good-will. (96) He desires, therefore, to be delivered by the free mercy of God. As to his desire, that God would make haste, we have elsewhere spoken of it. Even when God delays to help us, it is our duty to contend against a feeling of weariness; but such is his goodness, that he permits us to use this form of prayer, That he would make haste... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 40:15

Verse 15 When the Psalmist prays (verse 15) that his enemies may be destroyed for a reward of their shame, the meaning is this: As their sole desire has been to overwhelm me with shame, in order that, while thus dismayed and confounded, they might make me the object of their derision; so let a similar confusion fall upon their own heads. In the second clause of the verse he describes the nature of this confusion by relating the terms of their wicked triumphing, by which they poured contempt... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 40:16

Verse 16 16.Let all those that seek thee be glad and rejoice in thee. David here uses another argument — one which he often adduces elsewhere — in order to obtain deliverance; not that it is necessary to allege reasons to persuade God, but because it is profitable to confirm our faith by such supports. As, then, it is the will of God that he should be known in his gracious character, not only of one or two, but generality of all men, whenever he vouchsafes deliverance to any of his children, it... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 40:17

Verse 17 17.But I am poor and needy. In this concluding clause he mingles prayer with thanksgiving, although it may be that he records a request which he had made when he was placed in extreme danger. The first clause of the verse might be rendered thus: Although I was miserable and poor, God did think upon me. As according to the extent in which any one is afflicted, so is he despised by the world, we imagine that he is disregarded by God, we must, therefore, steadfastly maintain that our... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 40:1-10

Out of the pit arid on the rock: a song of praise. The title of the psalm indicates that it is one of David's: against that no adequate argument has been raised. £ Therefore, as David's we regard it. We are called on to a treatment of it in three several topics. In this, the first, we look at it as a song of praise for delivering mercy—for delivering mercy experienced by the psalmist himself, who, having written this grateful hymn, hands it "to the chief musician" for use in sanctuary... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 40:1-10

Thanksgiving and prayer. The first part ( Psalms 40:1-10 ) is a thanksgiving, the second part a prayer. The situation is that of one who, on one side, set free from a heavy affliction, is still oppressed on the other. We have all ground for thanksgiving for the past, and for prayer for the present and future. This section may be divided thus: what God had done fur the psalmist and for his country; and what the psalmist had done for God. I. WHAT GOD HAD DONE . 1 . For the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 40:1-17

The author of the psalm, according to the title, was David, and no argument of the least weight has been brought against this view. The occasion may be conjectured to have been his restoration to his throne after the brief usurpation of Absalom. Absalom's aiders and abettors may be alluded to in Psalms 40:4 , and the remnant of his party in Psalms 40:14 . The psalm falls into three portions: read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 40:1-17

Grace and gratitude. "Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the Lord, look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged." So said the prophet ( Isaiah 51:1 ), and it is good for us betimes to follow this counsel. It will not only teach us humility, but bind us more firmly in love and gratitude to God. It is the depth that proves the height. It is the misery that measures the mercy. It is by the utterness of the ruin that we... read more

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 40:11

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 40:12

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 40:13

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 40:15

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 40:16

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 40:17

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 40:1-10

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 40:1-10

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 40:1-17

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 40:1-17

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