Psalm 40:17 - Printer Friendly

ESV: As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God!

NIV: But as for me, I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; you are my God, do not delay.

NASB: But I am afflicted and needy; May the Lord be mindful of me. You are my help and my savior; Do not delay, my God.

CSB: I am oppressed and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my helper and my deliverer; my God, do not delay.

NLT: As for me, since I am poor and needy, let the Lord keep me in his thoughts. You are my helper and my savior. O my God, do not delay.

KJV: But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.

NKJV: But I am poor and needy; Yet the Lord thinks upon me. You are my help and my deliverer; Do not delay, O my God.

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).

Psalm 40:11–17 follows a passage focused mainly on David's thanksgiving for the Lord's past blessings. This section features his requests to God, based on the Lord's love and faithfulness. He asks the Lord to forgive his sins, rescue him from his enemies, and to fill God's people with praise when they recognize how David has been delivered. Psalm 38 contains similar themes to those of these closing verses of Psalm 40.

David waited on the Lord for quite some time to be delivered from his foes, and the Lord heard him. This remarkable deliverance would persuade many to trust in the Lord. David insists that no one can compare with the Lord. Verses 6–8 are messianic; Hebrews 10:5–9 applies them to Jesus. David shared this story with his fellow worshipers in the sanctuary. He was confident that the Lord would continue to show him His mercy, His steadfast love, and His faithfulness. David needed the Lord's help because he was conscious of his many sins, and he knew his enemies wanted to kill him. He concludes this psalm by humble acknowledging that the Lord thought about him and was his help and deliverer. He asks the Lord to come quickly to his defense.

In this psalm David offers praise to the Lord for meeting his needs. He may have composed this psalm during one of his exiles in the wilderness or during the infancy of his rule as Israel's king. Verses 1–5 may refer to his exile, and verses 6–10 may depict his dedication as king. Verses 11–17 tell of his prayer for forgiveness and his exaltation over his foes. Psalm 70 parallels Psalm 40:13–17. Hebrews 10:5–9 quotes Psalm 40:6–8, making the latter passage messianic.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.