Bible Commentary

Psalms 40:1-5

Matthew Henry on Psalms 40:1-5

Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · Matthew Henry · CC0 1.0 Universal

Doubts and fears about the eternal state, are a horrible pit and miry clay, and have been so to many a dear child of God. There is power enough in God to help the weakest, and grace enough to help the unworthiest of all that trust in him.

The psalmist waited patiently; he continued believing, hoping, and praying. This is applicable to Christ. His agony, in the garden and on the cross, was a horrible pit and miry clay. But those that wait patiently for God do not wait in vain.

Those that have been under religious melancholy, and by the grace of God have been relieved, may apply verse 2 very feelingly to themselves; they are brought up out of a horrible pit. Christ is the Rock on which a poor soul can alone stand fast.

Where God has given stedfast hope, he expects there should be a steady, regular walk and conduct. God filled the psalmist with joy, as well as peace in believing. Multitudes, by faith beholding the sufferings and glory of Christ, have learned to fear the justice and trust in the mercy of God through Him.

Many are the benefits with which we are daily loaded, both by the providence and by the grace of God.

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commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 40:1-10Out of the pit arid on the rock: a song of praise. The title of the psalm indicates that it is one of David's: against that no adequate argument has been raised. £ Therefore, as David's we regard it. We are called on to…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 40:1-17EXPOSITION THE occasion of this psalm is some great deliverance which has been vouchsafed to the author of it, for which he desires to praise and thank God. Of this deliverance he speaks in Psalms 40:1-3, which form a s…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 40:1I waited patiently for the Lord; literally, waiting, I waited—a common Hebrew idiom, when an idea is to be emphasized. No writer enforces upon us more earnestly than David the duty of awaiting God's pleasure (Psalms 27:…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 40:1-10Thanksgiving and prayer. The first part (Psalms 40:1-10) is a thanksgiving, the second part a prayer. The situation is that of one who, on one side, set free from a heavy affliction, is still oppressed on the other. We…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 40:1-17Grace and gratitude. "Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the Lord, look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged." So said the prophet (Isaiah 51:1),…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 40:2He brought me up also out of an horrible pit; literally, a pit of tumult or uproar, which is variously explained. Some imagine a pit with rushing water at the bottom of it, but such pits are scarcely known in Palestine.…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 40:3And he hath put a new song in my mouth (see the comment on Psalms 33:3). Even praise unto our God. Mercy and praise are cause and effect. The deliverance recorded in Psalms 40:2 produces the praise of Psalms 40:3-5. The…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 40:3The song learned in tribulation. "He hath put a new song," etc. Trouble impoverishes the children of this world, but enriches the children of God. As St. Paul says, if our hope in Christ were an illusion, Christians wou…Joseph S. Exell and contributors