Psalms 40:1-10

a Joyous Testimony

Psalms 40:1

This psalm follows appropriately on the two former, in which the psalmist had been detailing his sufferings. Here he celebrates deliverance. But a Greater than David is here. Hebrews 10:5 puts Psalms 40:6 upon the lips of Christ, and we hear His voice speaking through these olden words.

In deep distress, Psalms 40:1, what can the soul do but wait patiently until the Lord inclines and hears? The horrible pit is a “pit of roaring;” that is, a ravine where the deep waters rush and roar. What Jeremiah experienced literally, Jeremiah 38:6, we pass through spiritually. But God will leave no child of His there; He will lift him to stand on the rock, his mouth filled with songs.

When we are delivered let us set our gladness to music and embody it in renewed consecration, Psalms 40:4. Let us not hide God's love in our hearts, but tell it out. The bored ear, Psalms 40:6, in reference to Exodus 21:6, means obedience forever, absolute consecration, the glad submission of the will. This is dearer to God than the most elaborate ceremonial or ritual.