Psalm 40:1-5

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 40:2

He brought me up also out of an horrible pit ,.... Which, with the following phrase, out of the miry clay , expresses the state and condition Christ was in at the time of his bloody sweat, his crucifixion, and his lying in "sheol", the pit or grave, sometimes rendered hell, which these figurative phrases fitly signify; when it is observed, that he was made sin, and had the sins of all his people on him; and, as the type of Joshua, was clothed with their filthy garments; he might be truly... 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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 40:4

Blessed is the man that maketh the Lord his trust ,.... For such are safe and secure in him, are possessed of all blessings of grace through him, have peace in their own souls now, and shall enjoy eternal happiness with him hereafter; and respecteth not the proud ; such as the Pharisees, and all self-righteous persons, who trust in themselves and their own righteousness, submit not to the righteousness of Christ, and despise others; to these such who trust in Christ have no respect; they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 40:5

Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done ,.... This is the "new song", as Aben Ezra rightly observes, which is said in Psalm 40:3 , to be put in the mouth of the Messiah; who sometimes speaks in the plural number, being the representative of his people, and sometimes in the singular; for it is the same person that speaks here who is continued speaking in Psalm 40:6 , and following; and which are applied to Christ, Hebrews 10:5 ; the "works" here said to be... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 40:2

A horrible pit - Literally, the sounding pit; where nothing was heard except the howlings of wild beasts, or the hollow sounds of winds reverberated and broken from the craggy sides and roof. The miry clay - Where the longer I stayed the deeper I sank, and was utterly unable to save myself. The Syriac and Arabic translate "The pit of perdition, and the mud of corruption." These are figurative expressions to point out the dreary, dismal, ruinous state of sin and guilt, and the utter... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 40:4

Blessed is that man - The man must be blessed and happy who casts his soul with all its burden of sin and wretchedness, at the footstool of God's mercy; for he will save all who come to him through the Son of his love. read more

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