RRB Notes on Psalm 40

Psa 40 KJV

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.

1. I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

2. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. [1]

[1] It could apply historically and prophetically to Jeremiah 38:6-13, but it never happened literally to David one time in 1 or 2 Samuel (see comments about Christ under Tit. 1:2; see also Psa. 69:2, 14 and notice that the context is a prophetic reference to Christ – Psa. 68:4, 8-9).

3. And 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.

4. Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

5. Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.

6. Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; [a] mine ears hast thou opened: [b] burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.

[a] Psa. 51:16-17 as applied to David.

[b] Vss. 6-8 are a direct reference to Jesus Christ (Heb. 10:6-8).

7. Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,

8. I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.

9. I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: [c] lo, I have not refrained my lips, O Lord, thou knowest.

[c] Vss. 9-10 also refer to Jesus Christ (Psa. 22:25).

10. I have not 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.

11. Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O Lord: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.

12. For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities [d] 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 faileth me. 

[d] A reference to David, for Christ has no iniquity.

13. Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me: O Lord, make haste to help me.

14. Let 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.

15. Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha. [e]

[e] The narrative returns to Christ (see note on Psa. 35:21).

16. Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The Lord be magnified.

17. But I am poor and needy; [f] yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.

[f] See comments on James 1:10-11, 2:5-7, 5:1-7.

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Titus 1:2 KJV

In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; [1]

Comments about Christ under Tit. 1:2

1 (1:2) This promise is not a promise made to any sinner about salvation; it has nothing to do with election (Eph. 1:4) or God’s “purpose” (1 Pet. 1:20). It is a promise made to the second member of the Godhead, since there was nobody else around “before the world began” to whom to make it. The Father promised the Lord Jesus Christ that if He died for sinners (see Rev. 13:8) that He would be resurrected and given “eternal life” as a man (Psa. 18:4-5, 69:1-3 cf. Psa. 21:4, 49:15; Acts 2:27).

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Note on Psa. 35:21

Psalms 35:21 KJV

Yea, they opened their mouth wide against me, and said, Aha, aha, our eye hath seen it.

[g] Christ (Matt. 27:42-44).

[h] Psa. 40:15, 70:3.