Psalm 40:1 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 40:1-5

In these verses we have, I. The great distress and trouble that the psalmist had been in. He had been plunged into a horrible pit and into miry clay (Ps. 40:2), out of which he could not work himself, and in which he found himself sinking yet further. He says nothing here either of the sickness of his body or the insults of his enemies, and therefore we have reason to think it was some inward disquiet and perplexity of spirit that was now his greatest grievance. Despondency of spirit under the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 40:1

I waited patiently for the Lord ,.... Or "waiting I waited" F9 קוה קויתי "expectando expectavi", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus Musculus, Rivetus, Gejerus, Michaelis; so Ainsworth. ; which denotes continuance, constancy, and patience; and which Christ exercised in the garden, when he submitted himself entirely to the will of God; and on the cross, when he continued in sure hope and firm expectation of his help and assistance, though he was for a while forsaken by him; see Isaiah... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 40:1

I waited patiently for the Lord - The two preceding Psalms are proofs of the patience and resignation with which David waited for the mercy of God. The reader is requested to consult the notes on them. And heard my cry - The two preceding Psalms show how he prayed and waited; this shows how he succeeded. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 40:1

Verse 1 1.In waiting I waited The beginning of this psalm is an expression of thanksgiving, in which David relates that he had been delivered, not only from danger, but also from present death. Some are of opinion, but without good reason, that it ought to be understood of sickness. It is rather to be supposed that David here comprehends a multitude of dangers from which he had escaped. He had certainly been more than once exposed to the greatest danger, even of death, so that, with good... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 40:1

I waited patiently for the Lord ; literally, waiting , I waited —a common Hebrew idiom, when an idea is to be emphasized. No writer enforces upon us more earnestly than David the duty of awaiting God's pleasure ( Psalms 27:14 ; Psalms 37:7 ; Psalms 62:1 , Psalms 62:5 ; Psalms 69:3 , etc.). And he inclined unto me; literally, bent towards me —an anthropomorphism, but most expressive. And heard my cry; i.e. answered it—gave me what I prayed for. 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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 40:1

I waited patiently for the Lord - Margin, as in Hebrew, “In waiting I waited.” That is, “I continued to wait.” It was not a single, momentary act of expectation or hope; it was continuous; or, was persevered in. The idea is, that his prayer was not answered at once, but that it was answered after he had made repeated prayers, or when it seemed as if his prayers would not be answered. It is earnest, persevering prayer that is referred to; it is continued supplication and hope when there seemed... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 40:1-5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 40:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 40:1

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 40:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 40:1

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

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 40:1

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