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Matthew Henry

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 40:3

And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise to our God ,.... Sung by him in the midst of the great congregation of angels and saints, upon his resurrection, ascension, and session at the right hand of God; see Psalm 22:22 ; when he went to his God and ours, to his Father and ours; and in which song he is joined by all his people above and below, Revelation 5:9 ; many shall see it , and fear, and shall trust in the Lord ; even all the elect of God, as many as are ordained... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 40:3

A new song - Cheerfulness and joy had long been strangers to him. He seemed to live to utter the most doleful complaints, and be a prey to suffering and wretchedness. Praise for a sense of God's favor was a new song to him. The word is often used to signify excellence: I will sing a most excellent and eminent song. Many shalt see it - I will publish it abroad and fear-to sin against the Lord, knowing by my example what a grievous and bitter thing it is. And shall trust in the Lord - ... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 40:3

Verse 3 3.And he hath put into my mouth a new song In the first clause of the verse he concludes the description of what God had done for him. By God’s putting a new song into his mouth he denotes the consummation of his deliverance. In whatever way God is pleased to succor us, he asks nothing else from us in return but that we should be thankful for and remember it. As often, therefore, as he bestows benefits upon us, so often does he open our mouths to praise his name. Since God, by acting... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 40:3

And he hath put a new song in my mouth (see the comment on Psalms 33:3 ). Even praise unto our God . Mercy and praise are cause and effect. The deliverance recorded in Psalms 40:2 produces the praise of Psalms 40:3-5 . The phrase, "our God," shows us how David instinctively identifies himself with his people. A mercy shown to him is one shown to them. Many shall see it, and fear (comp. Deuteronomy 13:11 ; Deuteronomy 17:13 ; Deuteronomy 19:20 ; Deuteronomy 21:21 , where the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 40:3

The song learned in tribulation. "He hath put a new song," etc. Trouble impoverishes the children of this world, but enriches the children of God. As St. Paul says, if our hope in Christ were an illusion, Christians would be of all men most pitiable; just as one who has been left heir to an immense fortune, and then by discovery of a later will loses all, is far poorer than he was before. But, as our hope is no illusion, but "a living hope," resting on a living Saviour, and the word of the... read more

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