▼ Heb “O God, to rescue me.” A main verb is obviously missing. The verb רָצָה (ratsah, “be willing”) should be supplied (see Ps 40:13). Ps 40:13 uses the divine name “Lord” rather than “God.”

▼ Heb “hurry to my help.” See Pss 22:19; 38:22.

▼ Heb “may they be embarrassed and ashamed, the ones seeking my life.” Ps 40:14 has “together” after “ashamed,” and “to snatch it away” after “my life.”

▼ The four prefixed verbal forms in this verse are understood as jussives. The psalmist is calling judgment down on his enemies.

▼ See Ps 35:4 for a similar prayer.

▼ The prefixed verbal form is understood as a jussive in this imprecation.

▼ Heb “May they be turned back according to their shame, those who say, ‘Aha! Aha!’” Ps 40:15 has the verb “humiliated” instead of “turned back” and adds “to me” after “say.”

▼ Heb “those who love,” which stands metonymically for its cause, the experience of being delivered by God.

▼ The three prefixed verbal forms prior to the quotation are understood as jussives. The psalmist balances out his imprecation against his enemies with a prayer of blessing on the godly.

▼ Ps 40:16 uses the divine name “Lord” here instead of “God.”

▼ The prefixed verbal form is taken as a jussive, “may the Lord be magnified [in praise].” Another option is to take the verb as an imperfect, “the Lord is great.” See Ps 35:27.

▼ See Pss 35:10; 37:14.

▼ Ps 40:17 has “may the Lord pay attention to me.”

▼ Ps 40:17 has “my God” instead of “Lord.”

▼ Psalm 71. The psalmist prays for divine intervention and expresses his confidence that God will protect and vindicate him. The first three verses are very similar to Ps 31:1–3a.