Psalm 40

The first part of the Psalm (verses 1-11) is one in the series of psalms of thanksgiving of an individual. Verses 13-18, possibly set originally in an independent Psalm context, are virtually identical to Psalm 70. This part belongs more in the group of psalms of lament. Matthew Henry divides the psalm into three sections: • Confidence for deliverance (verses 1-5) • Christ's work of redemption (6-10) • A prayer for mercy and grace (11-17). ==Interpretation==

Some writers see verses 6-9 as prophetic of Jesus, or of the messiah generally. John Wesley saw it as a prayer of salvation. ==Uses==

New Testament Verses 6-8 are quoted in Hebrews . This phrase "I delight to do your will" is also contrasted with the verse in the same Psalm where "They delight to do me harm". This adds to this imagery portending the plots against and betrayal of Jesus. The following Psalm 41 is also seen by the New Testament to portend the betrayal of Jesus by Judas. Judaism • Verse 2 is found in the repetition of the Amidah during Rosh Hashanah. • Verse 12 is the second verse from V'hu Rachum in Pesukei Dezimra, and the long Tachanun recited on Mondays and Thursdays. Book of Common Prayer In the Church of England's Book of Common Prayer, this psalm is appointed to be read on the morning of the eighth day of the month, as well as at Matins on Good Friday. Music Heinrich Schütz wrote a setting of a paraphrase of Psalm 40 in German, "Ich harrete des Herren", SWV 137, for the Becker Psalter, published first in 1628. Mendelssohn used the beginning in German as the text for the fifth movement from his Lobgesang. The same verses in Latin form the text of the second movement of Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms. The Psalm was used in U2's song "40", the final track from their 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 this verse. ==Text==

The following table shows the Hebrew text of the Psalm with vowels, alongside the Koine Greek text in the Septuagint and the English translation from the King James Version. Note that the meaning can slightly differ between these versions, as the Septuagint and the Masoretic Text come from different textual traditions. In the Septuagint, this psalm is numbered Psalm 39. ==Notes==