What does Psalm 40:17 mean?

David ascribes to God all credit for helping him and delivering him in the past. He asks the Lord to come to his assistance quickly. While David was wildly successful, he was also humble enough to admit his need for God (Psalm 40:11–13). Rather than claim he deserves God's favor (Luke 18:9–14), he describes the Lord as his help and deliverer. We do not know what specific situation David had in mind when he wrote this psalm. We do know he trusted the Lord to resolve it.

We are also reminded that David had a personal relationship with the Lord, because he addressed him as "my God." The Lord certainly knows all about every challenging situation a believer faces; no situation is too hard for God to resolve. He will either end the situation (2 Corinthians 5:6–8) or grant His all-sufficient grace so the believer can bear it (Philippians 4:12–13). The apostle Paul asked the Lord three times to remove his thorn in the flesh, which was perhaps a severe physical ailment. But the Lord replied, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9).