Notes on the Book of Psalms, Psalm 40
The xl. PSALM.
David being in trouble (probably under Absaloms rebellion) reckons up his former experiences of Gods goodness, and his great deliverances, first from Saul, and then from after evils, pronouncing a blessing upon himself, and others that trust firmely in the Lord, extolling his wonderfull mercies to such. And shews what manner of praise he hath wont to offer to God for them, not ceremoniall but reall, and thus winds in upon God by recounting his favours to him, and his service back again to God, both in praising and publishing his goodness and truth, And then after a self-judging preamble, comes upon him with new requests for instant deliverance both from sin and punishment, and for confusion of his enemies, and lastly chears up himself and all his faithfull well-willers and partakers with a hopefull prayer, notwithstanding his present condition.
Psalm xl. To the chief musician A Psalm of David.To him that is the first and principal of all the Quire, do I David that made this Psalm recommend it, for the care and ordering of it to be sung.
1I waited patiently for the Lord, and he enclined unto me, and heard my cry.1 I have endured much, and long, but having a promise I staid my self upon it, and have patiently undergone all his providence in a faithfull expectation of the Lord, in truth and goodness to fulfil it at last, which he hath done, and hath most graciously vouchsafed me audience, and deliverance.
2He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the mirie clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.2 I was low sunk in fear and danger even of utter ruine, whence he hath marvellously delivered me; out of a very miserable condition hath he brought me, that no power but his could ever have freed me from, but he hath done it, and not onelyonly delivered me from an ill estate, but estated me in a good and safe one, and confirmed it to me spite of all those mine enemies and opposers, and all they could do to the contrary.
3And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it and fear, & shall trust in the Lord.3 And hath given me further occasion of thanksgiving and praises by new and fresh mercies, even to the full accomplishment of his promise and my happiness, his wonderful power and goodness to meward shall amaze many that never thought to see it, and affect them both with fear of, and faith in the Lord, that bringeth great things to pass.
4 That man is a blessed man,4Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust: and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. and shall be a successfull man, that stedfastly relies upon the Lord alone, and regards not the threatnings of the proud presumptuous boaster, nor the brags of such as put their confidence in sinfull practises and self-refuges, to dissettle his faith, or follow their example.
5 Manifold,5Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderfull 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 & speak of them, they are more than can be numbred. O most powerfull and gracious Lord God, are the wonderfull providences, protections, and deliverances, which thou hast done and wrought for thy children and servants from time to time; and the thoughts of mercy and goodness which thou hast had towards us, and shewed upon us that have believed in thee, they are so many, that we cannot count them nor orderly declare them, should I go about particularly to praise thee for them, or to tell the world of them, my memory would, yea, could not but deceive me, they are so numberless.
6 Sacrifices and offerings though they be by the appointment of thy Law,6Sacrifice & offering thou didst not desire, mine ears hast thou opened: burnt-offering, and sin-offering hast thou not required. yet as they are commonly used, or rather abused by formal and outward devotion▪ thou carest not for them, it is the kernel, and not the shell, comparatively, that thou regardest, to wit, a bored pliable ear, and yielding heart, to do thy will in faith and obedience, which (blessed be thy name) thou hast bestowed upon me (whom herein thou hast made a type of thy sonne and servant Christ, the onelyonly acceptable sacrifice and substance of all shadows) and which I know thou valuest in me, above never so many burnt and sinne-offerings, wherein others for most part put their religion.
7Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me.7 For by thy bestowing on me this spiritual ear, and regenerate heart, I am made apt and ready to offer and consecrate my self in all filial alacrity, a sacrifice to thy service, as it is written and prophesied of me, in resemblance of Christ, of whose son-like love and perfect obedience the whole Scripture foretells.
8I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.8 I do (as he much more shall) delight to please and obey thee in all things, O my God and his, thy holy and righteous law is not to me as it is to the world, untoothsome and harsh, but pleasing and connatural, as it shall be to Christ.
9I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: so, I have not refrained my lips, O Lord, thou knowst.9 And what I have learned and known to be thy righteous will, as a Prophet and faithfull servant of the Lord, I have, (as Christ shall) taken occasion to declare and teach it to thy people in the most solemn feasts, and greatest concourse, as might make most for thy glory, and their edifying. I have not ceased to do my duty to thee and them, but have informed and instructed them; O Lord, I know thou knowst this, and takest notice of my poor weak but sincere service herein.
10I have not hid thy righteousnes within my heart, I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy loving kindness, and thy truth, from the great congregation.10 I have kept back nothing which I knew, and whereof I ought to have informed them, touching thee and thy good grace, but both by mine example in praising thee, and also by doctrine have I declared to them the faithfulness that is in thee, and that thou hast and ever wilt shew to them that believe in thy promises, for grace and salvation. I have not smothered mine own experimented knowledg of thy mercifull loving kindness to such, and thy truth, in fulfilling what thou hast promised them, but have taken the best opportunity to make it known, most to thy praise and thy peoples edification.
11 And as I have done so I will do still,11Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O Lord: let thy loving kindness, and thy truth continually preserve me. as thou givest me occasion, therefore be as gracious and merciful as thou hast been, let me find thy love and faithfulness ever at hand to preserve me.
12 For I am now in as great need as ever I was,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 mine heart faileth me. being surrounded with manifold miseries and great dangers, deserved punishments for mine iniquities, which have arrested me and keep me prisoner, under the burden of thy heavy displeasure, which makes me of a dejected heart and countenance, ashamed, and afeard to make mine addresses to a God so displeased with a sinner so exceeding sinful as I am, doubting my success and thy favour.
13 Nor yet can I be silent,13Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me: O Lord, make hast to help me. my dangers on the other hand press so soar upon me, therefore of thine own good grace, O Lord, deliver me from the burden of my sin and misery. O Lord, consider my great straits, and delay not to relieve me, for thou art gracious and pitiful.
14 Let the shame and confusion which mine enemies would bring upon me,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. fall upon themselves, let them as they sin together, so perish together, that seek my life, let them be defeated of their expectation and desire, and come to a shameful end themselves, that seek mine undoing.
15 Let them be utterly ruinated,15Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame, that say unto me, Aha, Aha. and made desolate for a just reward and punishment of their shameful and sinful behaviour towards me, that rejoyce unjustly and undeservedly at my misery.
16 But contrariwise,16Let all those that seek thee, rejoyce and be glad in thee, let such as love thy salvation, say continually, the Lord be magnified. let all those that love me for Christs sake whose type I am, and that trust in thee, and religiously pray unto thee in their own and my behalf, let both me and they have cause of joy and gladness in thy mercy towards us, let such as love thy saving grace to trust in it and be happy by it, ever have cause to speak and sing the praises of thee and it.
17But I am poor and needy, yet the Lord thinketh upon me; thou art my help & my deliverer, make no tarrying, O my God.17 But as yet its otherwayes with me, I am poor and desolate, distressed both without and within, yet I know I am not forgotten, nor forsaken of God, but that he is mindful of me at the worst, and purposeth to do me good at the last; My faith makes him all in all to me, mine onelyonly helper and deliverer, and my condition presseth hard upon him to be so out of hand, which is very desperate, and therefore I beseech thee that art the God of all my faith and hope, delay not to deliver me speedily, least I perish utterly.