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.
Read it in contextA Psalm of David
Start reading at Psalms 40:1 (Psalms 40:1 to Psalms 40:17).
The entire Psalm 40 forms a coherent literary unit, beginning with a testimony of deliverance and praise, moving to a commitment to God's will, and concluding with a prayer for help.
40:1I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
40:2He 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.
40:3And 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.
40:4Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
40:5Many, 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.
40:6Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
40:7Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,
40:8I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
40:9I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.
40:10I 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.
40:11Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.
40:12For 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.
40:13Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me.
40:14Let 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.
40:15Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha.
40:16Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.
40:17But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Multiple writers contributed to Psalms, including David, Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and Moses; some psalms have no named attribution. The traditional Hebrew headings distinguish many of these contributions. Biblical references: Acts 2:25; Acts 4:25. book background
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Psalms 40:1–40:17): The psalmist gives testimony before the congregation and prays to the LORD for further deliverance. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Israel's worshipping community, including individuals and assemblies using the psalms for prayer, praise, lament, and instruction. A particular psalm may speak directly to God, to the congregation, or to another group. Biblical references: Psalms 22:22; Psalms 78:1; Psalms 100:1. book background
What
What is the main event or theme? The main theme is the psalmist's praise of God for His innumerable wonderful works and benevolent thoughts towards humanity, acknowledging their incomprehensible greatness and abundance.
What is God revealing? God is revealing Himself as the doer of 'wonderful works' and the thinker of benevolent 'thoughts' towards His people, whose actions and plans are beyond human comprehension or enumeration.
What is the literary style? The literary style is Hebrew poetry, characteristic of worship.
When
When was it written? The Psalms were collected between approximately 1400 and 450 B.C. This psalm, attributed to David, would have been written during his lifetime, likely in the 10th century B.C.
When does the event take place? The psalm reflects David's personal experiences of God's past deliverance and ongoing relationship, so the events are personal and ongoing throughout his life.
Where
Where did it happen? The events described are personal experiences of the psalmist, not tied to a specific geographical location within the passage.
Where was the author located? The author, David, was located in Israel.
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in A Psalm of David (Psalms 40:1 to Psalms 40:17).
Start reading at Psalms 40:1. The entire Psalm 40 forms a coherent literary unit, beginning with a testimony of deliverance and praise, moving to a commitment to God's will, and concluding with a prayer for help.
How
How does it fit the broader context? Psalms 40:5 serves as a foundational statement of praise, following the psalmist's testimony of God's specific deliverance (40:1-3) and a general blessing for those who trust in the Lord (40:4). It sets the stage for the psalmist's commitment to God's will and declaration of His truth (40:6-10), and his subsequent prayer for continued help (40:11-17), all rooted in God's immeasurable goodness. stated in the text
How does it point to Christ? The 'wonderful works' and 'thoughts' of God find their ultimate expression in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The broader context of Psalm 40, particularly verses 6-8, is directly applied to Christ in Hebrews 10:5-7, where His perfect obedience and sacrifice are presented as the fulfillment of God's will, surpassing all animal sacrifices. Christ's redemptive work is God's most wonderful work and thought towards humanity, bringing salvation and establishing His kingdom. interpretation
How do I apply it today? Believers today can reflect on the countless ways God has worked in their lives and in the world, acknowledging that His goodness, power, and plans for them are beyond full comprehension. This should lead to worship, trust, and a desire to declare His faithfulness and salvation to others, just as the psalmist did. interpretation
David and others, including Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and MosesNamed in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe superscriptions name their writers: David most often, and also Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and Moses. The New Testament quotes psalms as David's words. Psalm 3:1Psalm 90:1Acts 2:25Acts 4:25
Early traditionJewish and Christian tradition preserves the superscriptions as ancient.
What is debatedSome scholars regard certain superscriptions as later additions. The collection was assembled over centuries.
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Psalms 40
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Psalms is a collection of prayers and songs with multiple attributed writers and many unspecified occasions. Read each psalm as a poetic unit and distinguish a speaker's lament, petition, vow, and praise. The five-book arrangement does not make all psalms one continuous speech. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement. A quoted heading uses the opening KJV words of that stanza; the speaker and the psalm as a whole still govern its meaning.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The opening collection brings individual and communal prayer into the setting introduced by Psalms 1 and 2, ending with a doxology.
Connection to the wholeThe opening collection brings individual and communal prayer into the setting introduced by Psalms 1 and 2, ending with a doxology.
interpretation
“Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears…”
Connection to the wholeThe opening collection brings individual and communal prayer into the setting introduced by Psalms 1 and 2, ending with a doxology.
interpretation
“I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo,…”
Connection to the wholeThe opening collection brings individual and communal prayer into the setting introduced by Psalms 1 and 2, ending with a doxology.
interpretation
“Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O…”
Connection to the wholeThe opening collection brings individual and communal prayer into the setting introduced by Psalms 1 and 2, ending with a doxology.
interpretation
“Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek…”
Connection to the wholeThe opening collection brings individual and communal prayer into the setting introduced by Psalms 1 and 2, ending with a doxology.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The opening collection brings individual and communal prayer into the setting introduced by Psalms 1 and 2, ending with a doxology.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Psalms
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Psalms is a collection of prayers and songs with multiple attributed writers and many unspecified occasions. Read each psalm as a poetic unit and distinguish a speaker's lament, petition, vow, and praise. The five-book arrangement does not make all psalms one continuous speech.
Connection to the wholeThe opening collection brings individual and communal prayer into the setting introduced by Psalms 1 and 2, ending with a doxology.
Connection to the wholeThe second collection continues varied prayers and songs and closes with royal prayer and a doxology; its individual psalms retain distinct voices and occasions.
FocusThe sanctuary, the nation, and covenant questions
Connection to the wholeThis collection gives prominent space to communal distress and worship, ending with the tension between the Davidic promise and the king's humiliation.
Connection to the wholeThese psalms include reflection on human frailty, the LORD's kingship, worship, and Israel's history, and close with a doxology.
FocusThanksgiving, pilgrimage, and concluding praise
Connection to the wholeThe final collection gathers varied songs, the songs of degrees, and concluding calls to praise. Each psalm should first be read in its own poetic movement.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.