Psalms 40:17

Psalms 40:17 in other versions

• King James Version (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.
• New International Version (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.
• English Standard Version (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!
• New King James Version (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.

Context of Psalms 40:17

15Let them be horrified by their shame, for they said, “Aha! We’ve got him now!” 16But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, “The Lord is great!” 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.

Psalms 40:17 word by word

וַאֲנִ֤י׀ עָנִ֣י וְאֶבְיוֹן֮ אֲדֹנָ֪י יַחֲשָׁ֫ב לִ֥י עֶזְרָתִ֣י וּמְפַלְטִ֣י אַ֑תָּה אֱ֝לֹהַ֗י אַל־תְּאַחַֽר׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• poorעָנִי‛ânîy · afflictedH6041
• and needyאֶבְיוֹן'ebyôn · needyH34
• the Lordאֲדֹנָי'ădônây · LordH136
• thinkethחָשַׁבchâshab · to devise: deviseH2803
• my helpעֶזְרָה‛ezrâh ‛ezrâth · helpH5833
• and my delivererפָּלַטpâlaţ · to escapeH6403
• make no tarryingאָחַר'âchar · to delayH309
• O my Godאֱלֹהִים'ĕlôhîym · GodH430

Cross-references for Psalms 40:17

• Psalms 40:5O Lord my God, you have performed many wonders for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. You have no equal. If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them.
• Psalms 34:6In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles.
• Psalms 69:33For the Lord hears the cries of the needy; he does not despise his imprisoned people.
• Psalms 70:5But as for me, I am poor and needy; please hurry to my aid, O God. You are my helper and my savior; O Lord, do not delay.
• Isaiah 41:17“When the poor and needy search for water and there is none, and their tongues are parched from thirst, then I, the Lord, will answer them. I, the God of Israel, will never abandon them.
• Matthew 8:20But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.”
• 2 Corinthians 8:9You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.
• James 2:5Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him?
• 1 Peter 2:23He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.
• 1 Peter 5:7Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
• Psalms 54:4But God is my helper. The Lord keeps me alive!
• Isaiah 50:7Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will not be put to shame.
• Hebrews 13:6So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?”
• Psalms 143:7Come quickly, Lord, and answer me, for my depression deepens. Don’t turn away from me, or I will die.
• Revelation 22:20He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

Commentaries on Psalms 40:17

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 17But I am poor - עני ani, afflicted, greatly depressed. And needy - אביון ebyon, a beggar. One utterly destitute, and seeking help. The Lord thinketh upon me - The words are very emphatic; אדני Adonai, my prop, my support, thinketh, יחשב yachshab, meditateth, upon me. On which he concludes: "Thou art my help and deliverer." Seeing that my miserable state occupies thy heart, it will soon employ thy hand. Thou, who meditatest upon me, wilt deliver me. Make…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 17But I am poor and needy - More literally, “I am afflicted and poor.” The language would describe the condition of one who was afflicted and was at the same time poor; of one who had no resource but in God, and who was passing through scenes of poverty and sorrow. There were undoubtedly times in the life of David to which this language would be applicable; but it would be far more applicable to the circumstances in which the Redeemer was placed; and, in…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 11-17Verses 11-17 The best saints see themselves undone, unless continually preserved by the grace of God. But see the frightful view the psalmist had of sin. This made the discovery of a Redeemer so welcome. In all his reflections upon each step of his life, he discovered something amiss. The sight and sense of our sins in their own colours, must distract us, if we have not at the same time some sight of a Saviour. If Christ has triumphed over our spiritual…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 12-17The psalmist is troubled by both his adversities and his own sins and prays for rescue. This passage is almost the same as Psalm 70.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1717. A summary of his condition and hopes. thinketh upon--or provides for me. "He was heard," "when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears, unto Him that was able to save him from death" [He 5:7].Read the comment

Topics related to Psalms 40:17

• Afflictions and Adversities
• Faith

In the dictionaries

• God
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Praise
• Preach
• Tarrying
• Wish
• Pentateuch
• Psalms, Book of
• Messiah

Commentaries on Psalms 40

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• The Treasury of David
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings