Psalm 40 is a beautiful and powerful song from David, the shepherd-king of Israel, whose life was a rollercoaster of highs and lows—think defeating Goliath one day and dodging Saul’s spears the next. He wrote this psalm during a time when he felt stuck in what he calls a “horrible pit” and “miry clay” (v. 2), which could reflect those moments of being hunted by enemies or wrestling with his own guilt and despair. Historically, David was no stranger to trouble, yet he always turned back to God, and that’s what makes this psalm so relatable. It’s not just about one man’s story—it’s about all of us who’ve ever felt trapped, lost, or overwhelmed, and how God steps in when we wait for Him. David’s cry isn’t a one-time thing; it’s a human cry, and God’s response is a promise that echoes across centuries.
There’s a deep wisdom here for everyone, no matter who you are or where you come from. David sings about God pulling him out of the muck and setting his feet on solid rock (v. 2), giving him a “new song” (v. 3)—a picture of rescue and renewal that anyone can cling to. He goes on to say that God doesn’t want empty rituals like sacrifices or burnt offerings (v. 6); instead, He’s after hearts that want to follow Him. That’s a game-changer—religion isn’t about checking boxes but about trust and connection. And then there’s this mind-blowing line: God’s thoughts toward us are too many to count (v. 5). Imagine that—whether you’re a king or a nobody, God’s got you on His mind. For all people, the takeaway is simple yet profound: real happiness comes from trusting God, not chasing pride or lies (v. 4). It’s a truth that cuts through the noise of our world.
Now, here’s where it gets even richer—Psalm 40 points straight to Jesus. The New Testament picks up verses 6-8 in Hebrews 10:5-7, tying them to Christ, who says, “Behold, I come… I delight to do Your will.” Jesus is the one this psalm was hinting at all along—He’s the perfect sacrifice that those old offerings could never be, the one who obeyed God fully and saved us through His death and resurrection. That pit-to-rock rescue David talks about? It’s like Jesus’ parable of the lost sheep (Luke 15:3-7), where the shepherd hunts down the stray and brings it home. Jesus takes our messes and gives us a new song, a new life. The parallels are stunning—David’s deliverance is a shadow of the greater salvation Jesus brings.
This psalm also paints God as the source of all truth and reality, and Jesus steps into that as “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). If you don’t see that yet, the Bible says you’re in darkness—like stumbling around blind, caught in deception (John 8:12). David gets real about his own mess, admitting his sins have piled up so high he can’t even look up (v. 12), but he still runs to God for mercy. That’s the starting point for all of us—owning our need for light. And for those of us who’ve found it, there’s a job to do: we’re called to be “the light of the world” and “the salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13-14). That means sharing this truth with others—not preaching down at them, but with the same love and compassion Jesus showed. David didn’t hold back; he shouted God’s goodness in the “great assembly” (v. 9-10), and we’re meant to do the same—speaking hope into the dark.
So here’s the bottom line: Psalm 40 is an invitation to choose. You can stay in the pit, tangled in lies and darkness—the stuff Jesus called the work of the “father of lies” (John 8:44)—or you can let God lift you out and plant you on the rock of truth. Be a “TeknaTruth,” a child of truth, living in the real, bright reality of who God is. David ends with a raw plea—“Do not delay, O my God” (v. 17)—because he knows God’s help is sure, but he’s desperate for it now. Let’s follow his lead: wait on God, trust Him, and step into the light, bringing others along with us.
Psalm 40 (NKJV):
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
1 I waited patiently for the Lord;
And He inclined to me,
And heard my cry.
2 He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,
Out of the miry clay,
And set my feet upon a rock,
And established my steps.
3 He has put a new song in my mouth—
Praise to our God;
Many will see it and fear,
And will trust in the Lord.
4 Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust,
And does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
5 Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works
Which You have done;
And Your thoughts toward us
Cannot be recounted to You in order;
If I would declare and speak of them,
They are more than can be numbered.
6 Sacrifice and offering You did not desire;
My ears You have opened.
Burnt offering and sin offering You did not require.
7 Then I said, “Behold, I come;
In the scroll of the book it is written of me.
8 I delight to do Your will, O my God,
And Your law is within my heart.”
9 I have proclaimed the good news of righteousness
In the great assembly;
Indeed, I do not restrain my lips,
O Lord, You Yourself know.
10 I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart;
I have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation;
I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth
From the great assembly.
11 Do not withhold Your tender mercies from me, O Lord;
Let Your lovingkindness and Your truth continually preserve me.
12 For innumerable evils have surrounded me;
My iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to look up;
They are more than the hairs of my head;
Therefore my heart fails me.
13 Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me;
O Lord, make haste to help me!
14 Let them be ashamed and brought to mutual confusion
Who seek to destroy my life;
Let them be driven backward and brought to dishonor
Who wish me evil.
15 Let them be confounded because of their shame,
Who say to me, “Aha, aha!”
16 Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You;
Let such as love Your salvation say continually,
“The Lord be magnified!”
17 But I am poor and needy;
Yet the Lord thinks upon me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
Do not delay, O my God.