Psalm 40:4 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie!

NIV: Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.

NASB: How blessed is the man who has made the Lord his trust, And has not turned to the proud, nor to those who become involved in falsehood.

CSB: How happy is anyone who has put his trust in the Lord and has not turned to the proud or to those who run after lies!

NLT: Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord, who have no confidence in the proud or in those who worship idols.

KJV: Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

NKJV: Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust, And does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

Many Scriptures declare that happiness is most likely when a person trusts and obeys God (Proverbs 1:7; Psalm 37:5–9). Trials and hardships will come, even to those who honor God (John 16:33), but those who love the Lord are guaranteed eventual victory (Romans 8:28–30).

David had learned in the wilderness to rely on the Lord for safety, and he was not disappointed. His trust in God brought him great happiness. The person who puts their faith in the Lord doesn't take advice from arrogant, worldly people. Nor does he imitate those who follow lies, false ideas, or foolishness (1 Corinthians 2:12; Romans 12:1–2; Proverbs 5:22–23).

When Satan tempted Eve in the garden of Eden, he lied to her. He told her she would not die for eating the forbidden fruit, although God had said clearly, "You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die" (Genesis 2:16–17). Those who spread lies against David were following the evil pattern established by Satan (John 8:44).

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.