Psalms 40

The benefit of confidence in God, Psalm 40:1-3 . The blessedness of those who trust in God, Psalm 40:4 , Psalm 40:5 . The termination of the Jewish sacrifices in that of Christ, Psalm 40:6-8 . The psalmist's resolution to publish God's goodness, Psalm 40:9 , Psalm 40:10 ; : he prays to be delivered from evils, Psalm 40:11-13 ; against his enemies, Psalm 40:14 , Psalm 40:15 ; and in behalf of those who are destitute, Psalm 40:16 , Psalm 40:17 .

The Title, "To the chief Musician," we have already seen, and it contains nothing worthy of particular remark. Concerning the occasion and author of this Psalm there has been a strange and numerous diversity of opinions. I shall not trouble the reader with sentiments which I believe to be ill founded; as I am satisfied the Psalm was composed by David and about the same time and on the same occasion as the two preceding; with this difference, that here he magnifies God for having bestowed the mercy which he sought there. It is, therefore, a thanksgiving for his recovery from the sore disease by which he was afflicted in his body, and for his restoration to the Divine favor. The sixth, seventh, and eighth verses contain a remarkable prophecy of the incarnation and sacrificial offering of Jesus Christ. From the eleventh to the end contains a new subject and appears to have belonged to another Psalm. It is the same as the seventieth Psalm; only it wants the two first verses.