Psalm 40:15

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 40:15

Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame ,.... Of their shameful wishes, words, and actions, as they were: their habitations in Jerusalem were desolate, and so was their house or temple there, and their whole land, and they themselves were stripped of everything, when Jerusalem was taken and destroyed; see Matthew 23:38 , Acts 1:20 ; that say unto me, Aha, aha ; words expressive of joy, Psalm 35:21 , exulting at his miseries and sufferings on the cross, Matthew 27:39 ; so... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 40:15

That say unto me, Aha, aha - האח האח . See on Psalm 35:21 ; (note). read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 40:15

Verse 15 When the Psalmist prays (verse 15) that his enemies may be destroyed for a reward of their shame, the meaning is this: As their sole desire has been to overwhelm me with shame, in order that, while thus dismayed and confounded, they might make me the object of their derision; so let a similar confusion fall upon their own heads. In the second clause of the verse he describes the nature of this confusion by relating the terms of their wicked triumphing, by which they poured contempt... 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 40:15

Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame; rather , by reason of their shame (Kay, Alexander, Revised Version). Let the shame and disgrace that attach to them ( Psalms 40:14 ) cause them to be desolate, or deserted of all. That say unto me, Aha, aha! (comp. Psalms 35:21 , Psalms 35:25 ). read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 40:15

Let them be desolate - The word here employed means to be astonished or amazed; then, to be laid waste, or made desolate. As used here, it refers to their purposes, and the wish or prayer is that they might be wholly unsuccessful, or that in respect to success they might be like a waste and desolate field where nothing grows.For a reward - The word used here - עקב ‛êqeb - means the end, the last of anything; then, the recompence, reward, wages, as being the end, the result, or issue of a... read more

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