Tyndale Open Study NotesPsalms 40

This psalm has a thanksgiving song (Psalm 40:1–10) and a lament (40:11–17). The thanksgiving song explains why the psalmist is thankful (Psalm 40:1–5), shows a promise to stay committed (40:6–8), and shares a public testimony about God's character (40:7–10). The lament talks about the psalmist's troubles due to his sins (Psalm 40:11–12) and includes two prayers asking for justice (40:13–15, 17).

The psalmist thanks the Lord for rescue and affirms that people can trust God.

• The Lord delights in the attitude and character of the person giving an offering more than the offering itself.

• my ears You have opened: The Greek text reads You have given me a body. In Hebrews 10:5–7, the writer quotes from the Greek version of Psalm 40:6–8. He presents these words as something Jesus said when he left heaven and came into the world.

it is written about me in the scroll: Moses had recorded God’s requirements for Israel’s kings in Deuteronomy 17:14–15.

The psalmist prays that the Lord will be true to his character when answering this plea for mercy.

• The psalmist is troubled by both his adversities and his own sins and prays for rescue.

• This passage is almost the same as Psalm 70.