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Selected Verse: Psalms 40:1 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Ps 40:1	Strong Concordance	To the chief Musician [05329], A Psalm [04210] of David [01732]. I waited [06960] patiently [06960] for the LORD [03068]; and he inclined [05186] unto me, and heard [08085] my cry [07775].
	King James	To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
In this Psalm a celebration of God's deliverance is followed by a profession of devotion to His service. Then follows a prayer for relief from imminent dangers, involving the overthrow of enemies and the rejoicing of sympathizing friends. In Heb 10:5, &c., Paul quotes Psa 40:6-8 as the words of Christ, offering Himself as a better sacrifice. Some suppose Paul thus accommodated David's words to express Christ's sentiments. But the value of his quotation would be thus destroyed, as it would have no force in his argument, unless regarded by his readers as the original sense of the passage in the Old Testament. Others suppose the Psalm describes David's feelings in suffering and joy; but the language quoted by Paul, in the sense given by him, could not apply to David in any of his relations, for as a type the language is not adapted to describe any event or condition of David's career, and as an individual representing the pious generally, neither he nor they could properly use it (see on Psa 40:7, below). The Psalm must be taken then, as the sixteenth, to express the feelings of Christ's human nature. The difficulties pertinent to this view will be considered as they occur. (Psa. 40:1-17) The figures for deep distress are illustrated in Jeremiah's history (Jer 38:6-12). Patience and trust manifested in distress, deliverance in answer to prayer, and the blessed effect of it in eliciting praise from God's true worshippers, teach us that Christ's suffering is our example, and His deliverance our encouragement (Heb 5:7-8; Heb 12:3; Pe1 4:12-16). inclined--(the ear, Psa 17:6), as if to catch the faintest sigh.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

In this Psalm a celebration of God's deliverance is followed by a profession of devotion to His service. Then follows a prayer for relief from imminent dangers, involving the overthrow of enemies and the rejoicing of sympathizing friends. In Heb 10:5, &c., Paul quotes Psa 40:6-8 as the words of Christ, offering Himself as a better sacrifice. Some suppose Paul thus accommodated David's words to express Christ's sentiments. But the value of his quotation would be thus destroyed, as it would have no force in his argument, unless regarded by his readers as the original sense of the passage in the Old Testament. Others suppose the Psalm describes David's feelings in suffering and joy; but the language quoted by Paul, in the sense given by him, could not apply to David in any of his relations, for as a type the language is not adapted to describe any event or condition of David's career, and as an individual representing the pious generally, neither he nor they could properly use it (see on Psa 40:7, below). The Psalm must be taken then, as the sixteenth, to express the feelings of Christ's human nature. The difficulties pertinent to this view will be considered as they occur. (Psa. 40:1-17)

The figures for deep distress are illustrated in Jeremiah's history (Jer 38:6-12). Patience and trust manifested in distress, deliverance in answer to prayer, and the blessed effect of it in eliciting praise from God's true worshippers, teach us that Christ's suffering is our example, and His deliverance our encouragement (Heb 5:7-8; Heb 12:3; Pe1 4:12-16).

inclined--(the ear, Psa 17:6), as if to catch the faintest sigh.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
I waited patiently for the Lord - Margin, as in Hebrew, "In waiting I waited." That is, "I continued to wait." It was not a single, momentary act of expectation or hope; it was continuous; or, was persevered in. The idea is, that his prayer was not answered at once, but that it was answered after he had made repeated prayers, or when it seemed as if his prayers would not be answered. It is earnest, persevering prayer that is referred to; it is continued supplication and hope when there seemed to be no answer to prayer, and no prospect that it would be answered. And he inclined unto me - That is, ultimately he heard and answered me; or he turned himself favorably toward me, as the result of "persevering" prayer. The word "inclined" here means properly "bowed;" that is, he "bent forward" to hearken, or to place his ear near my mouth and to hear me. At first, he seemed as one that would not hear; as one that throws his head backward or turns his head away. Ultimately, however, he bent forward to receive my prayer. And heard my cry - The cry or supplication which I made for help; the cry which I directed to him in the depth of my sorrows and my danger, Psa 40:2. As applied to the Redeemer, this would refer to the fact that in his sorrows, in the deep sorrows connected with the work of redemption, he persevered in calling on God, and that God heard him, and raised him up to glory and joy. See Mat 26:36-46. Compare the notes at Heb 5:7. The time supposed to be referred to, is after his sufferings were closed; after his work was done; "after" he rose from the dead. It is the language of grateful remembrance which we may suppose he uttered in the review of the amazing sorrows through which he had passed in making the atonement, and in the recollection that God had kept him in those sorrows, and had brought him up from such a depth of woe to such a height of glory.

Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78]
David, who, though not without some hesitation, we regard as the author, now finds himself in a situation in which, on the one hand, he has just been rescued from danger, and, on the other, is still exposed to peril. Under such circumstances praise rightly occupies the first place, as in general, according to Psa 50:23, gratitude is the way to salvation. His hope, although תּוחלת ממשּׁכה (Pro 13:12), has not deceived him; he is rescued, and can now again sing a new song of thanksgiving, an example for others, strengthening their trust. קוּה קוּיתי, I waited with constancy and perseverance. יהוה is the accusative as in Psa 25:5; Psa 130:5, and not the vocative as in Psa 39:8. אזנו is to be supplied in thought to ויּט, although after the analogy of Psa 17:6; Psa 31:3, one might have looked for the Hiph. wayaT instead of the Kal. בור שׁאון does not mean a pit of roaring (of water), since שׁאון standing alone (see, on the other hand, Psa 65:8, Isa 17:12.) has not this meaning; and, moreover, "rushing, roaring" (Hengstenberg), tumultuous waters of a pit or a cistern does not furnish any idea that is true to nature; neither does it mean a pit of falling in, since שׁאה does not exhibit the signification deorsum labi; but the meaning is: a pit of devastation, of destruction, of ruin (Jer 25:31; Jer 46:17), vid., supra on Psa 35:8. Another figure is "mire of the marsh" (יון found only here and in Psa 69:3), i.e., water, in the miry bottom of which one can find no firm footing - a combination like מטר־גּשׁם, Zac 10:1, אדמת־עפר, Dan 12:2, explained in the Mishna, Mikvaoth ix. 2, by טיט הבורות (mire of the cisterns). Taking them out of this, Jahve placed his feet upon a rock, established his footsteps, i.e., removed him from the danger which surrounded him, and gave him firm ground under his feet. The high rock and the firm footsteps are the opposites of the deep pit and the yielding miry bottom. This deliverance afforded him new matter for thanksgiving (cf. Psa 33:3), and became in his mouth "praise to our God;" for the deliverance of the chosen king is an act of the God of Israel on behalf of His chosen people. The futures in Psa 40:4 (with an alliteration similar to Psa 52:8) indicate, by their being thus cumulative, that they are intended of the present and of that which still continues in the future.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
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.

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⁶ I have called [07121] upon thee, for thou wilt hear [06030] me, O God [0410]: incline [05186] thine ear [0241] unto me, and hear [08085] my speech [0565].

¹² Beloved [27], think it [3579] not [3361] strange [3579] concerning the [5213] fiery trial [4451] which [1722] is [1096] to [4314] try [3986] you [5213], as [5613] though some strange thing [3581] happened [4819] unto you [5213]:
¹³ But [235] rejoice [5463], inasmuch as [2526] ye are partakers [2841] of Christ's [5547] sufferings [3804]; that [2443], when [1722] his [846] glory [1391] shall be revealed [602], ye may be glad [5463] also [2532] with exceeding joy [21].
¹⁴ If [1487] ye be reproached [3679] for [1722] the name [3686] of Christ [5547], happy [3107] are ye; for [3754] the spirit [4151] of glory [1391] and [2532] of God [2316] resteth [373] upon [1909] you [5209]: on [2596] [3303] their part [846] he is evil spoken of [987], but [1161] on [2596] your part [5209] he is glorified [1392].
¹⁵ But [1063] let [3958] none [3361] [5100] of you [5216] suffer [3958] as [5613] a murderer [5406], or [2228] as a thief [2812], or [2228] as an evildoer [2555], or [2228] as [5613] a busybody in other men's matters [244].
¹⁶ Yet [1161] if [1487] any man suffer as [5613] a Christian [5546], let him [153] not [3361] be ashamed [153]; but [1161] let him glorify [1392] God [2316] on [1722] this [5129] behalf [3313].

³ For [1063] consider [357] him that endured [5278] such [5108] contradiction [485] of [5259] sinners [268] against [1519] himself [846], lest [3363] ye be wearied [2577] and faint [1590] in your [5216] minds [5590].

⁷ Who [3739] in [1722] the days [2250] of his [846] flesh [4561], when he had offered up [4374] prayers [1162] and [5037] [2532] supplications [2428] with [3326] strong [2478] crying [2906] and [2532] tears [1144] unto [4314] him that was able [1410] to save [4982] him [846] from [1537] death [2288], and [2532] was heard [1522] in that [575] he feared [2124];
⁸ Though [2539] he were [5607] a Son [5207], yet learned he [3129] obedience [5218] by [575] the things which [3739] he suffered [3958];

⁶ Then took [03947] they Jeremiah [03414], and cast [07993] him into the dungeon [0953] of Malchiah [04441] the son [01121] of Hammelech [04428], that was in the court [02691] of the prison [04307]: and they let down [07971] Jeremiah [03414] with cords [02256]. And in the dungeon [0953] there was no water [04325], but mire [02916]: so Jeremiah [03414] sunk [02883] in the mire [02916].
⁷ Now when Ebedmelech [05663] the Ethiopian [03569], one [0376] of the eunuchs [05631] which was in the king's [04428] house [01004], heard [08085] that they had put [05414] Jeremiah [03414] in the dungeon [0953]; the king [04428] then sitting [03427] in the gate [08179] of Benjamin [01144];
⁸ Ebedmelech [05663] went forth [03318] out of the king's [04428] house [01004], and spake [01696] to the king [04428], saying [0559],
⁹ My lord [0113] the king [04428], these men [0582] have done evil [07489] in all that they have done [06213] to Jeremiah [03414] the prophet [05030], whom they have cast [07993] into the dungeon [0953]; and he is like to die [04191] for [06440] hunger [07458] in the place [08478] where he is: for there is no more bread [03899] in the city [05892].
¹⁰ Then the king [04428] commanded [06680] Ebedmelech [05663] the Ethiopian [03569], saying [0559], Take [03947] from hence thirty [07970] men [0582] with thee [03027], and take up [05927] Jeremiah [03414] the prophet [05030] out of the dungeon [0953], before he die [04191].
¹¹ So Ebedmelech [05663] took [03947] the men [0582] with him [03027], and went [0935] into the house [01004] of the king [04428] under the treasury [0214], and took [03947] thence old [01094] cast clouts [05499] and old [01094] rotten rags [04418], and let them down [07971] by cords [02256] into the dungeon [0953] to Jeremiah [03414].
¹² And Ebedmelech [05663] the Ethiopian [03569] said [0559] unto Jeremiah [03414], Put [07760] now these old [01094] cast clouts [05499] and rotten rags [04418] under thine armholes [0679] [03027] under the cords [02256]. And Jeremiah [03414] did [06213] so.

⁷ Then said [0559] I, Lo, I come [0935]: in the volume [04039] of the book [05612] it is written [03789] of me,

⁶ Sacrifice [02077] and offering [04503] thou didst not desire [02654]; mine ears [0241] hast thou opened [03738]: burnt offering [05930] and sin offering [02401] hast thou not required [07592].
⁷ Then said [0559] I, Lo, I come [0935]: in the volume [04039] of the book [05612] it is written [03789] of me,
⁸ I delight [02654] to do [06213] thy will [07522], O my God [0430]: yea, thy law [08451] is within [08432] my heart [04578].

⁵ Wherefore [1352] when he cometh [1525] into [1519] the world [2889], he saith [3004], Sacrifice [2378] and [2532] offering [4376] thou wouldest [2309] not [3756], but [1161] a body [4983] hast thou prepared [2675] me [3427]:

³⁶ Then [5119] cometh [2064] Jesus [2424] with [3326] them [846] unto [1519] a place [5564] called [3004] Gethsemane [1068], and [2532] saith [3004] unto the disciples [3101], Sit ye [2523] here [847], while [2193] [3739] I go [565] and pray [4336] yonder [1563].
³⁷ And [2532] he took with him [3880] Peter [4074] and [2532] the two [1417] sons [5207] of Zebedee [2199], and began [756] to be sorrowful [3076] and [2532] very heavy [85].
³⁸ Then [5119] saith he [3004] unto them [846], My [3450] soul [5590] is [2076] exceeding sorrowful [4036], even unto [2193] death [2288]: tarry ye [3306] here [5602], and [2532] watch [1127] with [3326] me [1700].
³⁹ And [2532] he went [4281] a little [3397] further [4281], and fell [4098] on [1909] his [846] face [4383], and [2532] prayed [4336], saying [3004], O my [3450] Father [3962], if [1487] it be [2076] possible [1415], let [3928] this [5124] cup [4221] pass [3928] from [575] me [1700]: nevertheless [4133] not [3756] as [5613] I [1473] will [2309], but [235] as [5613] thou [4771] wilt.
⁴⁰ And [2532] he cometh [2064] unto [4314] the disciples [3101], and [2532] findeth [2147] them [846] asleep [2518], and [2532] saith [3004] unto Peter [4074], What [3779], could ye [2480] not [3756] watch [1127] with [3326] me [1700] one [3391] hour [5610]?
⁴¹ Watch [1127] and [2532] pray [4336], that [3363] ye enter [1525] not [3363] into [1519] temptation [3986]: the spirit [4151] indeed [3303] is willing [4289], but [1161] the flesh [4561] is weak [772].
⁴² He went away [565] again [3825] the [1537] second time [1208], and prayed [4336], saying [3004], O my [3450] Father [3962], if [1487] this [5124] cup [4221] may [1410] not [3756] pass away [3928] from [575] me [1700], except [3362] I drink [4095] it [846], thy [4675] will [2307] be done [1096].
⁴³ And [2532] he came [2064] and found [2147] them [846] asleep [2518] again [3825]: for [1063] their [846] eyes [3788] were [2258] heavy [916].
⁴⁴ And [2532] he left [863] them [846], and went away [565] again [3825], and prayed [4336] [1537] the third time [5154], saying [2036] the same [846] words [3056].
⁴⁵ Then [5119] cometh he [2064] to [4314] his [846] disciples [3101], and [2532] saith [3004] unto them [846], Sleep on [2518] now [3063], and [2532] take your rest [373]: behold [2400], the hour [5610] is at hand [1448], and [2532] the Son [5207] of man [444] is betrayed [3860] into [1519] the hands [5495] of sinners [268].
⁴⁶ Rise [1453], let us be going [71]: behold [2400], he is at hand [1448] that doth betray [3860] me [3165].

² He brought me up [05927] also out of an horrible [07588] pit [0953], out of the miry [03121] clay [02916], and set [06965] my feet [07272] upon a rock [05553], and established [03559] my goings [0838].

⁸ But I am like a green [07488] olive tree [02132] in the house [01004] of God [0430]: I trust [0982] in the mercy [02617] of God [0430] for ever [05769] and ever [05703].

⁴ Blessed [0835] is that man [01397] that maketh [07760] the LORD [03068] his trust [04009], and respecteth [06437] not the proud [07295], nor such as turn aside [07750] to lies [03577].

³ Sing [07891] unto him a new [02319] song [07892]; play [05059] skilfully [03190] with a loud noise [08643].

² And many [07227] of them that sleep [03463] in the dust [06083] of the earth [0127] shall awake [06974], some to everlasting [05769] life [02416], and some to shame [02781] and everlasting [05769] contempt [01860].

¹ Ask [07592] ye of the LORD [03068] rain [04306] in the time [06256] of the latter rain [04456]; so the LORD [03068] shall make [06213] bright clouds [02385], and give [05414] them showers [01653] of rain [04306], to every one [0376] grass [06212] in the field [07704].

³ I am weary [03021] of my crying [07121]: my throat [01627] is dried [02787]: mine eyes [05869] fail [03615] while I wait [03176] for my God [0430].

⁸ Let destruction [07722] come [0935] upon him at unawares [03045] [03808]; and let his net [07568] that he hath hid [02934] catch [03920] himself: into that very destruction [07722] let him fall [05307].

¹⁷ They did cry [07121] there, Pharaoh [06547] king [04428] of Egypt [04714] is but a noise [07588]; he hath passed [05674] the time appointed [04150].

³¹ A noise [07588] shall come [0935] even to the ends [07097] of the earth [0776]; for the LORD [03068] hath a controversy [07379] with the nations [01471], he will plead [08199] with all flesh [01320]; he will give [05414] them that are wicked [07563] to the sword [02719], saith [05002] the LORD [03068].

¹² Woe [01945] to the multitude [01995] of many [07227] people [05971], which make a noise [01993] like the noise [01993] of the seas [03220]; and to the rushing [07588] of nations [03816], that make a rushing like the rushing [07582] of mighty [03524] waters [04325]!

⁸ They also that dwell [03427] in the uttermost parts [07099] are afraid [03372] at thy tokens [0226]: thou makest the outgoings [04161] of the morning [01242] and evening [06153] to rejoice [07442].

³ For thou art my rock [05553] and my fortress [04686]; therefore for thy name's [08034] sake lead [05148] me, and guide [05095] me.

⁶ I have called [07121] upon thee, for thou wilt hear [06030] me, O God [0410]: incline [05186] thine ear [0241] unto me, and hear [08085] my speech [0565].

⁸ Deliver [05337] me from all my transgressions [06588]: make [07760] me not the reproach [02781] of the foolish [05036].

⁵ I wait [06960] for the LORD [03068], my soul [05315] doth wait [06960], and in his word [01697] do I hope [03176].

⁵ Lead [01869] me in thy truth [0571], and teach [03925] me: for thou art the God [0430] of my salvation [03468]; on thee do I wait [06960] all the day [03117].

¹² Hope [08431] deferred [04900] maketh the heart [03820] sick [02470]: but when the desire [08378] cometh [0935], it is a tree [06086] of life [02416].

²³ Whoso offereth [02076] praise [08426] glorifieth [03513] me: and to him that ordereth [07760] his conversation [01870] aright will I shew [07200] the salvation [03468] of God [0430].