Psalm 40

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Psalm 40
Folio 96r - Psalm XXXIX.jpg
Psalm 40 in Les Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry, Folio 96r - Psalm XXXIX (Vulgate) the Musée Condé, Chantilly.
BookBook of Psalms
Hebrew Bible partKetuvim
Order in the Hebrew part1
CategorySifrei Emet
Christian Bible partOld Testament
Order in the Christian part19
This article is about Psalm 40 in Hebrew (Masoretic) numbering. For Psalm 40 in Greek Septuagint or Latin Vulgate numbering, see Psalm 41.

Psalm 40 is the 40th psalm from the Book of Psalms, described by the Jerusalem Bible as a "song of praise and prayer for help".[1] In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate translations of the Bible, this psalm is Psalm 39.

Structure[]

The first part of the Psalm (verses 1-11) is one in the series of psalms of thanksgiving of an individual. Verses 13-18, possibly set originally in an independent Psalm context, are virtually identical to Psalm 70. This part belongs more in the group of psalms of lament. Matthew Henry divides the psalm into three sections:

  • Confidence for deliverance (verses 1-5)
  • Christ's work of redemption (6-10)
  • A prayer for mercy and grace (11-17).[2]

Interpretation[]

Some writers see verses 6-9 as prophetic of Jesus,[3][4] or of the messiah generally.[5]

John Wesley saw it as a prayer of salvation.[clarification needed][6]

Uses[]

Psalm 40 manuscript from the Sidney Psalms (16th century), Trinity College Library MS R. 3. 16, p. 78

Judaism[]

New Testament[]

Verses 6-8 are quoted in Hebrews 10:5–7.[10]

This phrase "I delight to do your will" is also contrasted with the verse in the same Psalm where "They delight to do me harm". This adds to this imagery portending the plots against and betrayal of Jesus. The following Psalm 41 is also seen by the New Testament to portend the betrayal of Jesus by Judas.

Book of Common Prayer[]

In the Church of England's Book of Common Prayer, this psalm is appointed to be read on the morning of the eighth day of the month.[11]

Music[]

The Psalm was used in U2's song "40", the final track from their 1983 album, War.

A song by The Mountain Goats titled "Psalm 40:2" appears on their 2009 album The Life of the World to Come, inspired by this verse.[12]

References[]

  1. ^ Jerusalem Bible (1966), Sub-heading for Psalm 40
  2. ^ Henry, M., Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary, accessed 5 November 2021
  3. ^ PSALM 40 overview
  4. ^ Charles Spurgeon,Treasury of David Archived 2015-11-26 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible.
  6. ^ John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes
  7. ^ The Complete Artscroll Machzor for Rosh Hashanah, page 353
  8. ^ The Complete Artscroll Siddur, page 62
  9. ^ The Complete Artscroll Siddur, page 125
  10. ^ Kirkpatrick, A. F. (1901). The Book of Psalms: with Introduction and Notes. The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges. Vol. Book IV and V: Psalms XC-CL. Cambridge: At the University Press. p. 838. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
  11. ^ Church of England, Book of Common Prayer: The Psalter as printed by John Baskerville in 1762, pp. 196ff
  12. ^ "The Mountain Goats: The Life of the World to Come | Album Reviews". Pitchfork. 2009-10-14. Retrieved 2012-02-28.

External links[]

  • Psalm 40 in Hebrew and English - Mechon-mamre
  • Psalm 40 King James Bible - Wikisource
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