Psalm 40

Psalms scroll.

Psalm 40 is the 40th psalm from the Book of Psalms.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Interpretation

Matthew Henry calls the psalm a "Confidence for deliverance. (1-5) Christ's work of redemption. (6-10) and a Prayer for mercy and grace. (11-17)"^[6] While some see in it the prophetic^[7] of Jesus^[8][9] or messiah generally.^[10]

John Westley saw it as a prayer^[11] of salvation.

Structure

The first part of the Psalm (verses 1-11) is one in the series of psalms of thanksgiving of an individual.

Verses 13-18 set originally possibly an independent Psalm context, because it is virtually identical to Psalm 70. This part belongs more in the group of psalms of lament.

Uses

Judaism

• Verse 2 is found in the repetition of the Amidah during Rosh Hashanah.^[12]
• Verse 12 is the second verse from V'hu Rachum in Pesukei Dezimra,^[13] and the long Tachanun recited on Mondays and Thursdays.^[14]

Music

The Psalm was used in the song 40, also known as "How Long", the final track from U2's 1983 album, War.

A song by The Mountain Goats titled "Psalm 40:2" appears on their 2009 album The Life of the World to Come, inspired by the same verse.

References

1. Commentaires sur les psaumes, d’Hilaire de Poitiers, (Paris, Éditions du Cerf, 2008), collection sources chrétiennes n°515,
2. Commentaires of the Psalmes, by saint Johnn Chrysostome
3. Discourse of the Psalmes, by Saint Augustin, vol.2,(Sagesses chrétiennes)
4. Commentairy (jusqu’au psaume 54), by saint Thomas Aquinas, (Éditions du Cerf, 1273)
5. Jean Calvin, Commentaire des psalmes, 1557
6. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary.
7. Psalms 40:6-9.
8. PSALM 40 overview.
9. Charles Spurgeon,Treasury of David.
10. Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible.
11. John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes.
12. The Complete Artscroll Machzor for Rosh Hashanah page 353
13. The Complete Artscroll Siddur page 62
14. The Complete Artscroll Siddur page 125