Bible/Psalms/40

Psalms 40:1

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. I waited: Heb. In waiting I waited

KJV

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For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. I waited patiently for Yahweh. He turned to me, and heard my cry.

I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined to me, and heard my cry.

40:2 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. an: Heb. a pit of noise

What does Psalms 40:1 mean?

Psalms 40:1 is a verse in the book of Psalms, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include נָצַח (nâtsach), מִזְמוֹר (mizmôwr), דָּוִד (Dâvid). It connects to 8 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

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To
the
chief
Musician,נָצַחnâtsach/naw-tsakh'/H5329properly, to glitter from afar, i.e. to be eminent (as a superintendent, especially of the Temple services and its music); to be permanent
A
Psalmמִזְמוֹרmizmôwr/miz-more'/H4210properly, instrumental music; by implication, a poem set to notes
of
David.דָּוִדDâvid/daw-veed'/H1732David, the youngest son of Jesse
I
waitedקָוָהqâvâh/kaw-vaw'/H6960to bind together (perhaps by twisting), i.e. collect; (figuratively) to expect
patientlyקָוָהqâvâh/kaw-vaw'/H6960to bind together (perhaps by twisting), i.e. collect; (figuratively) to expect
for
the
LORD;יְהֹוָהYᵉhôvâh/yeh-ho-vaw'/H3068Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
and
he
inclinedנָטָהnâṭâh/naw-taw'/H5186to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application
unto
me,
and
heardשָׁמַעshâmaʻ/shaw-mah'/H8085to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
my
cry.שַׁוְעָהshavʻâh/shav-aw'/H7775a hallooing
I
waited:
Heb.
In
waiting
I
waited

Commentary on Psalms 40:1

HENRY_FULL · Psalms 40:1
ls us that David, in this psalm, describes "the blessedness of the man unto whom God imputes righteousness without words," Rom. iv. 6 . We have here a summary, I. Of gospel grace in the pardon of sin ( ver. 1, 2 ), in divine protection ( ver. 7 ), and divine guidance, ver. 8 . II. Of gospel duty. To confess sin ( ver. 3-5 ), to pray ( ver. 6 ), to govern ourselves well ( ver. 9, 10 ), and to rejoice in God, ver. 11 . The way to obtain these privileges is to make conscience of these duties, which we ought to think of—of the former for our comfort, of the latter for our quickening, when we sing this psalm. Grotius thinks it was designed to be sung on the day of atonement. Who Are Blessed. 1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Leviticus 17:4

And bringeth it not unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, to offer an offering unto the LORD before the tabernacle of the LORD; blood shall be imputed unto that man; he hath shed blood; and that man shall be cut off from among his people:

John 1:47

Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!

Romans 5:13

(For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.

2 Corinthians 1:12

For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

2 Corinthians 5:19

To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. committed: Gr. put in us

1 Peter 2:1

Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

1 Peter 2:2

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

Revelation 14:5

And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.

Topics

Afflictions Made BeneficialPatiencePraisePrayerPrayer, Answers ToSeekersWaiting Upon God

People & places in this verse

People

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Psalms 40:1.

Exodus 16:12

I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel: speak unto them, saying, At even ye shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be filled with bread; and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God.

Numbers 11:10

Then Moses heard the people weep throughout their families, every man in the door of his tent: and the anger of the LORD was kindled greatly; Moses also was displeased.

Psalms 12:1

To the chief Musician upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David. Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men. upon: or, upon the eighth Help: or, Save

Psalms 13:1

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? chief: or, overseer

Psalms 19:1

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

Psalms 20:1

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee; defend: Heb. set thee on an high place

Psalms 21:1

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The king shall joy in thy strength, O LORD; and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!

Psalms 22:1

To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? Aijeleth: or, the hind of the morning helping: Heb. my salvation

Frequently asked questions

What does Psalms 40:1 say?

Psalms 40:1 (King James Version) reads: "To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. I waited: Heb. In waiting I waited"

Is Psalms 40:1 in the Old or New Testament?

Psalms 40:1 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Psalms.

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As you read Psalms 40:1, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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