Psalm 40:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart."

NIV: I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart."

NASB: I delight to do Your will, my God; Your Law is within my heart.'

CSB: I delight to do your will, my God, and your instruction is deep within me."

NLT: I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.'

KJV: I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.

NKJV: I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is within my heart.”

This is connected to the verses cited in Hebrews 10:5–7, which applied this passage to Jesus the Messiah. As do many New Testament citations, this uses the Septuagint translation, in Greek. Phrasings between that and the Old Testament Hebrew are often different. The Hebrews reference shows that God's ultimate intent for our salvation involved a physical body, fulfilled in that of Jesus Christ (Psalm 40:6).

David was thrilled to do God's will, whom he knew personally as "my God." He also held God's Word in his heart. His devotion to God's will and God's Word pictures Jesus' relationship to God and His Word. When the Devil tempted Jesus for forty days and forty nights in the wilderness, Jesus refused to abandon His worship of the Father by falling down to worship the Devil. The Devil took Jesus to an exceedingly high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. He promised to give Jesus all the kingdoms and their glory if Jesus would down and worship him (Matthew 4:8–9). But Jesus resolutely refused the offer. He rebuked the Devil and appealed to the biblical command: "You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve" (Matthew 4:10). Jesus continued that pattern throughout His earthly ministry (John 4:34; 5:19; 17:4–6).

Psalm 40:1–10 delivers a steady stream of thanksgiving, as David recounts the Lord's deliverance of him from his enemies. He is grateful for giving him a new lease on life. He commits himself to doing the Lord's will and to telling others about how the Lord delivered him from his enemies. Psalm 37:1–7 emphasizes the fact that the Lord delivers those who wait on Him and commit themselves to His will. Hebrews 10:5–9 quotes the Greek version of Psalm 40:6–8 and applies the passage to Jesus the Messiah.

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.