Psa 40 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Ps 40:1-17: Ps 40 This psalm includes a thanksgiving song (40:1-10 ) followed by a lament (40:11-17 ). The thanksgiving song includes the reason for the thanksgiving (40:1-5 ), an affirmation of commitment (40:6-8 ), and a public testimony of God’s character (40:7-10 ). The lament concerns the psalmist’s troubles because of his sins (40:11-12 ) and is followed by two prayers for vindication (40:13-15 , 17 ). Summary for Ps 40:1-5: 40:1-5 The psalmist thanks the Lord for his rescue and testifies that God can be trusted.

Summary for Ps 40:1-17: Ps 40 ^a This psalm includes a thanksgiving song (40:1-10 ^b) followed by a lament (40:11-17 ^c). The thanksgiving song includes the reason for the thanksgiving (40:1-5 ^d), an affirmation of commitment (40:6-8 ^e), and a public testimony of God’s character (40:7-10 ^f). The lament concerns the psalmist’s troubles because of his sins (40:11-12 ^g) and is followed by two prayers for vindication (40:13-15 ^h, 17 ⁱ).
Summary for Ps 40:1-5: 40:1-5 ^j The psalmist thanks the Lord for his rescue and testifies that God can be trusted.
40:6 ^k The Lord delights in the attitude and character of the person making an offering more than in the offering itself.

• Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand: Greek text reads You have given me a body. In Heb 10:5-7 ^l, the writer quotes from the Greek version of Ps 40:6-8 ^m. He casts the words as something Jesus said as he left heaven and came into the world.
40:7 ⁿ As is written about me in the Scriptures: Moses had recorded God’s requirements for Israel’s kings in Deut 17:14-15 ^o.
40:11 ^p The psalmist prays that the Lord will be true to his character when answering this plea for mercy.
Summary for Ps 40:12-17: 40:12-17 ^q The psalmist is troubled by both his adversities and his own sins and prays for rescue.

• This passage is repeated almost verbatim as Ps 70 ^r.