To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance. This psalm, according to Kimchi, was composed by David when he fled from Saul, or from Absalom; so Theodoret; but if at either of those times, it is most likely to be the latter, since the following psalm, it is certain, was penned…

Make haste, O God, to deliver me The phrase, “make haste”, is supplied from the following clause in ; it is, “be pleased, O Lord”, or “Jehovah”. The Targum renders it, “to deliver us”; very wrongly; make haste to help me, O Lord; (See Gill on Ps. 22:19).

Let them be ashamed and confounded In it is added, “together”; (See Gill on Ps. 40:14); that seek after my soul; or “life”; in it is added, “to destroy it”; for that was the end of their seeking after it; let them be turned backward (See Gill on Ps. 40:14).

Let them be turned back for a reward of their shame In it is, “let them be desolate”; which seems to respect their land and houses, here their persons; (See Gill on Ps. 40:15); that say; in it is added, “to me”; not to his people, but himself, aha, aha: rejoicing at his calamity and distress.

Let all those that seek thee The Targum is, “that seek doctrine (or instruction) from thee.” rejoice and be glad in thee; the Targum paraphrases it, “rejoice and be glad in thy word.” and let such as love thy salvation say continually, let God be magnified; the Targum is, “let the glory of the Lord…

But I am poor and needy In it follows, yet “the Lord thinketh on me”; instead of which it is here, (See Gill on Ps. 40:17); make haste unto me, O God; which repeats for sense the same petition as in ; thou art my help and my deliverer; O Lord, make no tarrying; in it is, “O my God”.