Psalm 40:9 - Printer Friendly

ESV: I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; behold, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O LORD.

NIV: I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, LORD, as you know.

NASB: I have proclaimed good news of righteousness in the great congregation; Behold, I will not restrain my lips, Lord, You know.

CSB: I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; see, I do not keep my mouth closed -- as you know, Lord.

NLT: I have told all your people about your justice. I have not been afraid to speak out, as you, O Lord, well know.

KJV: I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.

NKJV: I have proclaimed the good news of righteousness In the great assembly; Indeed, I do not restrain my lips, O Lord, You Yourself know.

David addresses the Lord in this verse, claiming he has proclaimed God's works to others. Those who are in the "great congregation" are presumably the faithful people of Israel. David held nothing back when he reported how the Lord rescued him from his enemies.

When Jesus drove out numerous demons from a man who had been driven by them and existed in a deranged state of mind, He told him to return home "and declare how much God has done for you" (Luke 8:39). Obediently, the liberated man went home and proclaimed throughout the entire city how much Jesus had done for him. Every Christian has a story to tell about how the Lord delivered him or her from sin and judgment. Every Christian is an ambassador for Christ, and through us God is appealing to others to be reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:20). The apostle Paul viewed himself as an ambassador for Christ. He testified, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek" (Romans 1:16). Like Paul, we should love to tell the story!

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.

Accessed 4/29/2024 4:59:47 AM