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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 40:11-17

The psalmist, having meditated upon the work of redemption, and spoken of it in the person of the Messiah, now comes to make improvement of the doctrine of his mediation between us and God, and therefore speaks in his own person. Christ having done his Father's will, and finished his work, and given orders for the preaching of the gospel to every creature, we are encouraged to come boldly to the throne of grace, for mercy and grace. I. This may encourage us to pray for the mercy of God, and to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 40:12

For innumerable evils have compassed me about ,.... Like floods of water all around him; see Psalm 18:4 ; these are the evils of punishment inflicted on him, as the surety and Saviour of his people; such as the sorrows and griefs he bore all his days; the cruel mockings and scourges he endured; his being buffeted and spit upon; his head crowned with thorns, and his hands and feet pierced with nails; insulted by men and devils; crucified between two thieves, and so died the shameful and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 40:12

Innumerable evils have compassed me about - This part does not comport with the preceding; and either argues a former experience, or must be considered a part of another Psalm, written at a different time, and on another occasion, and, were we to prefix the two first verses of the seventieth Psalm to it we should find it to be a Psalm as complete in itself as that is. They are more than the hairs of mine head - This could not be said by any person who was exulting in the pardoning mercy... 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

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 40:11-17

Poor and needy: a prayer and a plea. There are many psalms which begin in a sigh and end with a song, showing us that even in the act of waiting before God, and of waiting on God, the darkness often passes away. We find our burden rolling off in the very act and energy of prayer. In this psalm, however, matters are reversed; and immediately following on a song of triumph and a vow of surrender, there is a piteous wail. This dissimilarity, nay, almost discordance, has led to a very general... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 40:11-17

Discipline lifelong. Though the sufferer has been delivered from one great distress, he is still encompassed by great sufferings and dangers, from which he prays to be rescued. Suggests— I. THAT THE WORK OF OUR DISCIPLINE AND SALVATION IS A LIFELONG WORK . No one act of deliverance is sufficient; no one deliverance can cover the whole of our experience. 1 . Fresh sin brings a renewed consciousness of suffering. ( Psalms 40:12 .) The psalmist suffered so in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 40:12

For innumerable evils have compassed me about ; literally, for evils have gathered upon me until there is no number (comp. Psalms 40:1 , Psalms 40:2 ). The exact nature of the "evils" is not mentioned; but the worst of them appears to be "the deep and bitter consciousness of sin" revealed in the next clause. Another was, beyond all doubt, the continued animosity of enemies ( Psalms 40:14 ). Mental and bodily weakness may have been added, and have completed the crushing load whereof... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 40:12

For innumerable evils have compassed me about - Have surrounded me, or have beset me on every side. The evils here referred to, understood as being those which came upon the Messiah, were sorrows that came upon him in consequence of his undertaking to do what could not be done by sacrifices and offerings Psalms 40:6; that is, his undertaking to save men by his own “obedience unto death.” The time referred to here, I apprehend, is that when the full effects of his having assumed the sins of the... read more

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