📖 Psalms — Chapter 40 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Psalms 40:1 RTI waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
Psalms 40:2 He Rbrought me up also out of Tan horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
Psalms 40:3 RAnd he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
Psalms 40:4 RBlessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
Psalms 40:5 RMany, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: Tthey cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
Psalms 40:6 RSacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou Topened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
Psalms 40:7 Then said I, Lo, I come: Rin the volume of the book it is written of me,
Psalms 40:8 RI delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is Twithin my heart.
Psalms 40:9 I have Rpreached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.
Psalms 40:10 I have Rnot hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.
Psalms 40:11 RWithhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.
Psalms 40:12 For Rinnumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart Tfaileth me.
Psalms 40:13 Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, Rmake haste to help me.
Psalms 40:14 RLet them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.
Psalms 40:15 Let them be Rdesolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha.
Psalms 40:16 Let Rall those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.
Psalms 40:17 But RI am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Psalms 40:1–5 — Patient waiting and a new song
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The speaker remembers waiting for the Lord, being heard, and being lifted from a pit and miry clay onto rock. God gives a new song, and others are invited toward trust. The testimony celebrates rescue while praising divine thoughts and works too numerous to count.
Key Truth: God's help can turn waiting into grateful testimony.
Check What You Remember
1. How did the speaker wait? (Psalms 40:1)
Find it in Psalms 40:1 (KJV).
2. Upon what were his feet set? (Psalms 40:2)
Find it in Psalms 40:2 (KJV).
3. What did God put in his mouth? (Psalms 40:3)
Find it in Psalms 40:3 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Psalms 40:6–10 — Delighting in God's will
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The speaker moves beyond outward sacrifice to willing obedience, God's law within the heart, and public proclamation of righteousness and faithfulness. Hebrews applies this passage to Christ's obedient coming. The movement emphasizes a life responsive to God rather than religious acts detached from wholehearted obedience.
Key Truth: God's will should be welcomed within the heart.
Check What You Remember
1. What does the speaker delight to do? (Psalms 40:8)
Find it in Psalms 40:8 (KJV).
2. Where is God's law? (Psalms 40:8)
Find it in Psalms 40:8 (KJV).
3. Where has he proclaimed righteousness? (Psalms 40:9)
Find it in Psalms 40:9 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Psalms 40:11–17 — Remembered rescue and present need
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Past deliverance does not remove present trouble or the need to confess sin. The speaker asks for mercy and quick help while praying that all who seek God rejoice. He ends as poor and needy, yet remembered by the Lord, holding thanksgiving and continuing dependence together.
Key Truth: The Lord remembers the needy amid renewed trouble.
Check What You Remember
1. What should continually preserve the speaker? (Psalms 40:11)
Find it in Psalms 40:11 (KJV).
2. Who should rejoice and be glad in God? (Psalms 40:16)
Find it in Psalms 40:16 (KJV).
3. Who thinks upon the poor and needy speaker? (Psalms 40:17)
Find it in Psalms 40:17 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Hebrews 10:7 — Hebrews applies the declaration of coming to do God's will to Christ.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
What past help can strengthen your present prayer, and what willing obedience can you offer while waiting?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. What sequence connects waiting with a changed footing?
2. What effect of the new song extends beyond the speaker?
3. How do inward delight and public declaration belong together?
4. Does the opening rescue eliminate every later need in the psalm?
5. How does the conclusion combine need with assurance?
Notes
Write what you want to remember, questions to explore, or Scriptures to look up later. Your saved notes are private to your account.
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