Psalm 40:17

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 40:17

But I am poor and needy ,.... As Christ was literally, 2 Corinthians 8:9 ; and in a spiritual sense, when deserted by his Father, forsaken by his disciples, and surrounded by his enemies; and had the sins of his people, the curse of the law, and the wrath of God upon him; yet the Lord thinketh upon me ; thinketh good for me, as the Targum; or thinks highly of me; has me in great esteem though despised of men, and in such a suffering state; thou art my help and my deliverer ;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 40:17

But I am poor - עני ani , afflicted, greatly depressed. And needy - אביון ebyon , a beggar. One utterly destitute, and seeking help. The Lord thinketh upon me - The words are very emphatic; אדני Adonai , my prop, my support, thinketh, יחשב yachshab , meditateth, upon me. On which he concludes: "Thou art my help and deliverer." Seeing that my miserable state occupies thy heart, it will soon employ thy hand. Thou, who meditatest upon me, wilt deliver me. Make no... 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 40:1-17

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 40:17

But I am poor and needy. David could say this in time of trouble. No one is more in need than a discrowned king, driven from his throne and land, and not yet restored to either ( 2 Samuel 9:4 -20). Yet the Lord thinketh upon me . The "poor and needy" are those whom God especially considers (see Psalms 9:18 ; Psalms 10:12 , Psalms 10:17 , Psalms 10:18 ; Psalms 34:6 ; Psalms 35:10 , etc .). Thou art my Help and my Deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God (comp. Psalms 40:13 ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 40:17

God's thoughts. "I am"—what? The question is important. In order to judge rightly, we must have a right standard. We are not to measure ourselves by ourselves, or by the rules of society, but by the perfect Law of God ( 2 Corinthians 10:12 ; Romans 3:20 ). "I am poor and needy. " What then? If comparing ourselves with all that is true and noble and good, with all that is highest and holiest, we are penetrated with a sense of Our own sins and unworthiness, what are we to do 9 Cast... read more

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