DAWN

     Explanation: In the first part of Psalm 40 David describes how, in former days, the LORD delivered him from great affliction. In the second part of the Psalm he asks the LORD for deliverance from similar affliction and distress. The occasion for the Psalm is unknown; but the two most troublesome times in David's life came at the hands of Saul and of Absalom. Both of these persecutions involved false accusations, threats of death, exile, and pursuit. And it may be that both persecutions are in view in this Psalm -- the former being Saul's persecution; the present persecution being Absalom's coup. The painting above represents a general theme of today's Psalm -- safety in the midst of danger.

          [ THEMATICALLY AND CHRONOLOGICALLY RELATED SCRIPTURES: Psalm 18. 1 Samuel 19-31. 2 Samuel 15-18. 2 Samuel 15:11-12. ]

          [ CHRONOLOGY: General. Patriarchs (Traditional). Judges # 1. Judges # 2. Kings # 1. Kings # 2. Prophets # 1. Prophets # 2. NT # 1. NT # 2. NT # 3. ]

          [ MAPS: Maps # 1. Maps # 2. Maps # 3. Maps # 4. Maps # 5. ]

          [ COMMENTARIES, ETC: GENERAL: Bible Study Tools; Bible Hub: Study Light; Blue Letter Bible // PSALMS: Monergism: Precept Austin: The Treasury of David; John Gill; John Calvin - Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

          [ MUSIC: GENERAL: The Cyber Hymnal // PSALMS: Genevan Psalter (Instrumental). Psalm 40 - #1. Psalm 40 - #2. Psalm 40 - #3. ]

     David begins his Psalm with a description of a former deliverance -- perhaps from Saul. He says that he waited patiently (in a strengthened, collected manner) for the LORD; and the LORD heard him. The LORD brought him out of a horrible, miry pit (emotional distress, physical distress, or both) and set his feet on a rock and established his goings. This theme of firm footing for the righteous and slippery, destructive footing for the wicked occurs throughout the Psalms and in various other places in Scripture, notably in Ephesians 6:11, which speaks of God's armor as that which enables one to stand against all spiritual powers (1-2). An not only was David able to stand, the LORD also gave him a new song of praise to God which helped others to trust in God. The person is blessed who trusts the LORD and does not respect the proud or any who turn aside to lies. And, praying to the LORD, David says that his works are wonderful; and his thoughts toward us are uncountable. The LORD did not desire the various offerings prescribed by the Law; he required listening ears (3-6). Then he came [applied to Christ in Hebrews 10:1-10] as it was written in the book, delighting to do God's will, having the law written in his heart, preaching without restraint to the great congregation, not hiding God's means of righteousness, declaring his faithfulness and salvation, and not concealing his lovingkindness and his truth from the great congregation (7-10). He therefore asks God to not withhold his tender mercies from him and to preserve him by his lovingkindness and truth. He needs these mercies because innumerable evils had surrounded him; his iniquities had taken hold upon him so that he was not able to look up; his heart failed him because his iniquities were so numerous (11-12). He asks God to deliver him and help him speedily. He asks that those who rejoice in the evil that is upon him will be desolate. But he requests that all who seek God and who love his salvation will rejoice and be glad and magnify the LORD. As for David, he is poor and needy, yet the LORD thinks on him (with thoughts without number -- verse 5). He is David's help and deliverer; so David asks him not to tarry (13-17).

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.
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; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
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: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.
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 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.
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.
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;
yet the Lord thinketh upon me:
thou art my help and my deliverer;
make no tarrying, O my God.

¹ To the chief Musician, [Transposed From Psalm 41:1] *

* NOTE: On Opening and Closing Comments in the Psalms.
[Some commentators take the Psalm in Habakkuk 3 to be a standard model for the Psalms.
Habakkuk's Psalm begins with the name of the composer (Habakkuk) and a musical notation ("upon Shigionoth").
It closes with a dedication or a "send to" notice ("To the chief singer on my stringed instruments").
I have arranged similar material, where it is found in the Psalter, in accord with the model in Habakkuk.]