Ps. 40 THE ARGUMENT This Psalm is a celebration of God’s great goodness and mercy vouchsafed unto him and all his people. It is certain and evident that David speaks some things in this Book of Psalms in his own name and person, and some things ill the name and person of Christ, or whom he was an…

I waited patiently, Heb. in waiting I waited; which doubling of the word notes that he waited diligently and earnestly, patiently and perseveringly, until God should please to help him. He inclined, or, bowed, to wit, himself, as this very word is rendered, Judg.

Out of an horrible pit; or, out of a sounding pit so called either from the clamours of men or beasts falling into it; or from the many waters which fall down into it, not without a great noise. I was not only upon the brink, but in the very bottom of the pit, i.e.

He hath put a new song in my mouth; partly by giving me new matter or occasion for a song; and partly by inspiring me with the very words of it. Shall see it, i.e. shall observe God’s wonderful mercies vouchsafed to me. And fear, i.e.

His trust, i.e. his only trust or refuge, as appears from the following words: q.d. I said, many shall trust in the Lord; and they shall not be losers by it, nor disappointed of their hope, but they are and shall be blessed. Respecteth not. Heb.

Thy wonderful works; for which I and the rest of thy people, included in the pronoun plural us, have abundant cause to praise thee, and to trust in thee, as was said, Ps. 40:3; and by which it will appear that he that trusteth in thee is in a most blessed and safe condition, as he said, Ps. 40:4.

These words may in an improper sense belong to the person and time of David; when God might be said not to desire or require legal sacrifices comparatively, as negative expressions are frequently understood, as Matt. 9:13, 1 Cor. 1:17, and in this very case of sacrifices, as Ps. 51:16, Jer.

Then, when I understood and considered thy mind and will therein, expressed Ps. 40:6. Said I; either within myself, by a firm purpose; or unto thee by way of promise or engagement. Lo, I come.

I delight to do thy will. This, though in a general sense it may be true of David and of all God’s people, yet if it be compared with the foregoing verse, and with the explication thereof in the New Testament, (in which those mysteries which were darkly and doubtfully expressed in the Old Testament…

Righteousness, to wit, thy righteousness, as it is expressed in the next verse, i.e. thy faithfulness, as it is there explained; or righteousness properly so called; for both were fully declared and demonstrated in Christ, the former in sending him into the world according to his promise, Acts…

I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I had it there, Ps. 40:8, but I did not smother or shut it up there, but spread it abroad for thy glory, and the good of the world; which thou hast wrought both for me and by me.

This prayer is uttered by David, either, 1. In the person of Christ; to whom it may agree. Or, 2. In his own person. Having been transported and carried forth by the Spirit of God to the contemplation and commemoration of the great mystery of the Messias, of whom he was an illustrious type, now he…

Mine iniquities; either, 1. The punishment of mine iniquities, as Gen. 4:13, 1 Sam. 28:10, Ps. 31:10. Or, 2. The iniquities themselves. This phrase cannot be understood of Christ. For although our sins are said to be laid upon Christ, Isa.

Deliver me from my sins, and the punishments due to them.

Let them be ashamed, for the disappointment of their hopes and designs. My soul, i.e. my life, as Ex. 4:9, 1 Sam. 20:1.

Desolate, or amazed, or dismayed, or overthrown: of such imprecations I have spoken before. Their shame, i.e. their sinful and shameful actions, as shame is put for a shameful idol, Hos. 9:10, and as fear is oft put for the evil feared.

Such as love thy salvation; either, 1. Such as desire and rejoice in the salvation and deliverance which thou givest to me and to others of thy people, which was a great eye-sore and grief to the wicked. Or, 2.