Psalm 40:10
I have not covered up Your righteousness in my heart; I have declared Your faithfulness and salvation; I have not concealed Your loving devotion and faithfulness from the great assembly.
I have not hidden
The phrase "I have not hidden" suggests an intentional act of transparency and openness. In the Hebrew context, the word used here can be associated with the idea of not concealing or covering up something. This reflects the psalmist's commitment to openly sharing the truths and works of God. Historically, this transparency is significant in a culture where oral tradition was vital for the transmission of faith and teachings. The psalmist's declaration serves as a model for believers to be bold and unashamed in their witness.

Your righteousness
"Your righteousness" refers to the moral and ethical perfection of God. In Hebrew, the word for righteousness, "tzedakah," encompasses justice, rightness, and faithfulness. This righteousness is not just a set of rules but is relational, reflecting God's covenantal faithfulness to His people. The psalmist acknowledges God's righteous acts, which are evident in His dealings with humanity. This righteousness is a cornerstone of God's character, providing a foundation for trust and worship.

in my heart
The phrase "in my heart" indicates an internalization of God's righteousness. In Hebrew thought, the heart is the center of one's being, encompassing mind, will, and emotions. The psalmist's internalization of God's righteousness suggests a deep, personal relationship with God, where His truths are not just known intellectually but are cherished and lived out. This internal commitment is essential for authentic faith and witness.

I have spoken of
"I have spoken of" implies a verbal proclamation. The Hebrew root here can mean to recount or declare. The psalmist is actively sharing the truths of God, emphasizing the importance of verbal testimony in the life of faith. This act of speaking is a fulfillment of the psalmist's duty to bear witness to God's character and works, encouraging believers to be vocal about their faith.

Your faithfulness
"Your faithfulness" highlights God's unwavering reliability and steadfastness. The Hebrew word "emunah" conveys a sense of firmness and stability. God's faithfulness is a recurring theme in Scripture, underscoring His commitment to His promises and His people. The psalmist's acknowledgment of God's faithfulness serves as a reminder of the trustworthiness of God, encouraging believers to rely on Him in all circumstances.

and salvation
The term "salvation" refers to deliverance and rescue, often with a connotation of divine intervention. In the Hebrew context, "yeshuah" encompasses both physical and spiritual deliverance. The psalmist's mention of salvation points to God's active role in redeeming His people, a theme that resonates throughout the biblical narrative. This salvation is ultimately fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ, offering eternal hope to believers.

I have concealed
"I have concealed" is a repetition of the earlier theme of not hiding or covering up. The psalmist emphasizes the importance of transparency in sharing God's truths. This repetition underscores the psalmist's commitment to being an open and faithful witness, challenging believers to examine their own willingness to share their faith.

Your loving devotion
"Your loving devotion" refers to God's steadfast love and mercy. The Hebrew word "chesed" is rich with meaning, encompassing kindness, loyalty, and covenantal love. This loving devotion is a defining attribute of God, reflecting His gracious and compassionate nature. The psalmist's recognition of God's loving devotion is a source of comfort and assurance, inspiring believers to trust in His unfailing love.

and faithfulness
The repetition of "faithfulness" reinforces the theme of God's reliability. The psalmist's emphasis on both loving devotion and faithfulness highlights the comprehensive nature of God's character. Together, these attributes provide a solid foundation for the believer's faith, encouraging a response of worship and obedience.

from the great assembly
"From the great assembly" refers to the public gathering of God's people, often for worship or communal activities. In ancient Israel, the assembly was a central place for teaching, worship, and the proclamation of God's works. The psalmist's commitment to declaring God's truths in this public setting underscores the importance of corporate worship and community in the life of faith. It challenges believers to be active participants in their faith communities, sharing and celebrating God's works together.

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
Traditionally attributed as the author of Psalm 40, David is expressing his commitment to proclaiming God's righteousness and faithfulness.

2. The Great Assembly
This refers to the congregation or community of believers where David declares God's attributes.

3. God's Righteousness
The divine attribute of moral perfection and justice that David is committed to sharing.

4. God's Faithfulness and Salvation
These are the acts of God that David is eager to proclaim, emphasizing God's reliability and deliverance.

5. Loving Devotion (Hebrew: "chesed")
A key Hebrew term often translated as "steadfast love" or "mercy," highlighting God's covenantal loyalty.
Teaching Points
Proclaiming God's Righteousness
As believers, we are called to openly share God's righteousness with others, not keeping it hidden within our hearts.

Declaring God's Faithfulness and Salvation
Our testimony should include God's faithfulness and the salvation He offers, encouraging others to trust in Him.

The Importance of Community Witness
Sharing God's attributes in the "great assembly" emphasizes the role of community in worship and testimony.

Understanding Chesed
Recognizing the depth of God's "chesed" (loving devotion) can transform our relationship with Him and inspire us to reflect His love to others.

Living Out Our Faith Publicly
Our faith should be evident in our actions and words, serving as a witness to those around us.
Bible Study Questions
1. How can you actively proclaim God's righteousness in your daily life, and what challenges might you face in doing so?

2. In what ways can you declare God's faithfulness and salvation to those in your community or church?

3. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's "chesed" (loving devotion). How can this experience encourage you to share His love with others?

4. How does the concept of the "great assembly" influence your understanding of corporate worship and testimony?

5. Consider the connection between Psalm 40:10 and Matthew 10:32-33. How does acknowledging God before others impact your personal faith journey?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 22:22
David's commitment to declaring God's name in the assembly is echoed here, where he promises to praise God among His people.

Hebrews 2:12
This New Testament reference cites Psalm 22:22, showing the continuity of declaring God's name among believers.

Isaiah 63:7
This passage speaks of recounting the Lord's lovingkindness and praises, similar to David's declaration in Psalm 40:10.

Matthew 10:32-33
Jesus speaks about acknowledging Him before others, which aligns with David's public declaration of God's attributes.
Out of the Pit Arid on the Rock: a Song of PraiseC. Clemance Psalm 40:1-10
Thanksgiving and PrayerC. Short Psalm 40:1-10
Grace and GratitudeW. Forsyth Psalm 40:1-17
Patient WaitingCanon Liddon.Psalm 40:1-17
Reminiscences of a Godly LifeHomilistPsalm 40:1-17
The Christian's PatiencePsalm 40:1-17
Waiting for the LordMonday Club SermonsPsalm 40:1-17
Waiting for the LordM. D. Hoge, D. D.Psalm 40:1-17
Christian ConversationA. Crummell.Psalm 40:9-10
The Master's Profession the Disciple's PursuitPsalm 40:9-10
Those Who Know God Will Confess HimHorace Bushnell, D. D.Psalm 40:9-10
People
David, Psalmist
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Assembly, Clear, Conceal, Concealed, Congregation, Declared, Faith, Faithfulness, Folded, Heart, Hid, Hidden, Kept, Kindness, Love, Loving, Lovingkindness, Loving-kindness, Meeting, Mercy, Midst, Righteousness, Salvation, Saving, Secret, Speak, Spoken, Steadfast, Truth, Within
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 40:10

     1125   God, righteousness
     1150   God, truth of
     7725   evangelists, identity
     8425   evangelism, nature of

Psalm 40:9-10

     5213   assembly
     5549   speech, positive
     7209   congregation

Psalm 40:10-11

     1461   truth, nature of
     6688   mercy, demonstration of God's

Library
Two Innumerable Series
'Many, O Lord my God, are Thy wonderful works which Thou hast done, and Thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto Thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered ... 12. Innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head; therefore my heart faileth me.'--PSALMS xl. 5, 12. So then, there are two series of things which cannot be
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Out of the Deep of Sin.
Innumerable troubles are come about me. My sins have taken such hold upon me, that I am not able to look up; yea, they are more in number than the hairs of my head, and my heart hath failed me.--Ps. xl. 15. I acknowledge my faults, and my sin is ever before me. Against Thee only have I sinned, and done this evil in Thy sight.--Ps. li. 3. I said, I will confess my sins unto the Lord; and so Thou forgavest the wickedness of my sin.--Ps. xxxii. 6. Blessed is the man whose iniquity is forgiven, and
Charles Kingsley—Out of the Deep

The Master's Profession --The Disciple's Pursuit
WHO IS THE SPEAKER that gives utterance to these marvellous words? In the first instance they must be understood to proceed from our Lord Jesus Christ. By the Spirit of prophecy in the Old Testament they were spoken of him, and by the Spirit of interpretation in the New Testament they have been applied to him. Mark, then, how vehemently he here declares that he has fully discharged the work which he was sent to accomplish. When, in the days of his flesh, he was crying to his Father for preservation
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871

Brought up from the Horrible Pit
I shall ask you, then, at this time, to observe our divine Lord when in His greatest trouble. Notice, first, our Lord's behavior--"I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry": then consider, secondly, our Lord deliverance, expressed by the phrase, "He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay," and so forth: then let us think, thirdly of the Lord's reward for it--"many shall see, and fear, and trust in the Lord":--that is His great end and object,
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 28: 1882

"Lo, I Come": Application
The times when our Lord says, "Lo, I come," have all a family likeness. There are certain crystals, which assume a regular shape, and if you break them, each fragment will show the same conformation; if you were to dash them to shivers, every particle of the crystal would be still of the same form. Now the goings forth of Christ which were of old, and his coming at Calvary, and that great advent when he shall come a second time to judge the earth in righteousness, all these have a likeness the one
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891

"Lo, I Come": Exposition
"Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: in burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come in (the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God." WE HAVE, in the use made of the passage by the inspired apostle, sufficient authority for applying the quotation from the fortieth psalm to our divine Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. With such a commentary, we
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891

Some General Uses from this Useful Truth, that Christ is the Truth.
Having thus cleared up this truth, we should come to speak of the way of believers making use of him as the truth, in several cases wherein they will stand in need of him as the truth. But ere we come to the particulars, we shall first propose some general uses of this useful point. First. This point of truth serveth to discover unto us, the woful condition of such as are strangers to Christ the truth; and oh, if it were believed! For, 1. They are not yet delivered from that dreadful plague of
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

"He Hath Put a New Song in My Mouth, Even Thanksgiving unto Our God. " -- Psalm 40:3.
A NEW YEAR'S MORNING SONG. "He hath put a new song in my mouth, even thanksgiving unto our God." -- Psalm 40:3. Thanksgiving and the voice of melody, This new year's morning, call me from my sleep; A new, sweet song is in my heart for Thee, Thou faithful, tender Shepherd of the sheep; Thou knowest where to find, and how to keep The feeble feet that tremble where they stray, -- O'er the dark mountains -- through the whelming deep -- Thy everlasting mercy makes its way. The past is not so dark as
Miss A. L. Waring—Hymns and Meditations

A New Song
"He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God."--Ps. xl. 3. R. Rolle, 1349. tr., Emma Frances Bevan, 1899 I know not the song of Thy praises, Till Thou teach it, my God, to me-- Till I hear the still voice of Thy Spirit, Who speaketh for ever of Thee-- Till I hear the celestial singing, And learn the new song of Thy grace, And then shall I tell forth the marvels I learnt in Thy secret place. Thy marvels, not mine, far surpassing All thoughts of my heart must they be-- I can but declare
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen and Others (Second Series)

Life of St. Vincent de Paul
SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL c. 1581-1660 By F.A. [Francis Alice] Forbes "Blessed is he that understandeth concerning the needy and the poor: the Lord will deliver him in the evil day." --Psalm 40:2 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. Wherefore he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor, he hath sent me to heal the contrite of heart, to preach deliverance to the captives, and sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of
Frances Alice Forbes—Life of St. Vincent de Paul

Introduction to Expositio Fidei.
The date of this highly interesting document is quite uncertain, but there is every ground for placing it earlier than the explicitly anti-Arian treatises. Firstly, the absence of any express reference to the controversy against Arians, while yet it is clearly in view in §§3 and 4, which lay down the rule afterwards consistently adopted by Athanasius with regard to texts which speak of the Saviour as created. Secondly, the untroubled use of homoios (§1, note 4) to express the Son's
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius

The History of the Psalter
[Sidenote: Nature of the Psalter] Corresponding to the book of Proverbs, itself a select library containing Israel's best gnomic literature, is the Psalter, the compendium of the nation's lyrical songs and hymns and prayers. It is the record of the soul experiences of the race. Its language is that of the heart, and its thoughts of common interest to worshipful humanity. It reflects almost every phase of religious feeling: penitence, doubt, remorse, confession, fear, faith, hope, adoration, and
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament

Life Hid and not Hid
'Thy word have I hid in my heart.'--PSALM cxix. 11. 'I have not hid Thy righteousness in my heart.'--PSALM xl. 10. Then there are two kinds of hiding--one right and one wrong: one essential to the life of the Christian, one inconsistent with it. He is a shallow Christian who has no secret depths in his religion. He is a cowardly or a lazy one, at all events an unworthy one, who does not exhibit, to the utmost of his power, his religion. It is bad to have all the goods in the shop window; it is just
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

How when Tribulation Cometh we must Call Upon and Bless God
Blessed be thy name, O Lord, for evermore, who hast willed this temptation and trouble to come upon me. I cannot escape it, but have need to flee unto Thee, that Thou mayest succour me and turn it unto me for good. Lord, now am I in tribulation, and it is not well within my heart, but I am sore vexed by the suffering which lieth upon me. And now, O dear Father, what shall I say? I am taken among the snares. Save me from this hour, but for this cause came I unto this hour,(1) that Thou mightest
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

Like one of Us.
"But a body Thou hast prepared Me."-- Heb. x. 5. The completion of the Old Testament did not finish the work that the Holy Spirit undertook for the whole Church. The Scripture may be the instrument whereby to act upon the consciousness of the sinner and to open his eyes to the beauty of the divine life, but it can not impart that life to the Church. Hence it is followed by another work of the Holy Spirit, viz., the preparation of the body of Christ. The well-known words of Psalm xl. 6, 7: "Sacrifice
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Eligius, Bishop of Noyon.
THE life of this pious bishop is so much the more worthy our consideration, on account of his having passed many years in the position of an ordinary citizen, before he entered on the clerical office; because his life may thus afford us a picture of the pious citizens of his time. Eligius was born at Chatelàt, a mile from Limoges, A. D. 588. His family had been Christian for many generations, and he received a pious education, [8] the result of which extended throughout his life. In his youth,
Augustus Neander—Light in the Dark Places

The Lamb of God, the Great Atonement
Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world! G reat and marvellous are the works of the LORD God almighty! We live in the midst of them, and the little impression they make upon us, sufficiently proves our depravity. He is great in the very smallest; and there is not a plant, flower, or insect, but bears the signature of infinite wisdom and power. How sensibly then should we be affected by the consideration of the Whole , if sin had not blinded our understandings, and hardened
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

Out of the Deep of Doubt, Darkness, and Hell.
O Lord God of my salvation, I have cried day and night unto Thee. Oh! let my prayer enter into Thy presence. For my soul is full of trouble and my life draweth nigh unto Hell. Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit, in a place of darkness, and in the deep.--Ps. lxxxviii. 1, 2. If I go down to Hell, Thou art there also. Yea, the darkness is no darkness with Thee; but the night is as clear as the day.--Ps. cxxxix. 7, 11. I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined unto me, and heard my calling.
Charles Kingsley—Out of the Deep

Of Internal Acts
Of Internal Acts Acts are distinguished into External and Internal. External acts are those which bear relation to some sensible object, and are either morally good or evil, merely according to the nature of the principle from which they proceed. I intend here to speak only of Internal acts, those energies of the soul, by which it turns internally to some objects, and averts from others. If during my application to God I should form a will to change the nature of my act, I thereby withdraw myself
Madame Guyon—A Short and Easy Method of Prayer

Distinction Between Exterior and Interior Actions --Those of the Soul in this Condition are Interior, but Habitual, Continued, Direct, Profound, Simple, and Imperceptible --Being a Continual
The actions of men are either exterior or interior. The exterior are those which appear outwardly, and have a sensible object, possessing neither good nor evil qualities, excepting as they receive them from the interior principle in which they originate. It is not of these that I intend to speak, but only of interior actions, which are those actions of the soul by which it applies itself inwardly to some object, or turns away from some other. When, being applied to God, I desire to commit an
Jeanne Marie Bouvières—A Short Method Of Prayer And Spiritual Torrents

The Mystery
Of the Woman dwelling in the Wilderness. The woman delivered of a child, when the dragon was overcome, from thenceforth dwelt in the wilderness, by which is figured the state of the Church, liberated from Pagan tyranny, to the time of the seventh trumpet, and the second Advent of Christ, by the type, not of a latent, invisible, but, as it were, an intermediate condition, like that of the lsraelitish Church journeying in the wilderness, from its departure from Egypt, to its entrance into the land
Joseph Mede—A Key to the Apocalypse

Period ii. The Church from the Permanent Division of the Empire Until the Collapse of the Western Empire and the First Schism Between the East and the West, or Until About A. D. 500
In the second period of the history of the Church under the Christian Empire, the Church, although existing in two divisions of the Empire and experiencing very different political fortunes, may still be regarded as forming a whole. The theological controversies distracting the Church, although different in the two halves of the Graeco-Roman world, were felt to some extent in both divisions of the Empire and not merely in the one in which they were principally fought out; and in the condemnation
Joseph Cullen Ayer Jr., Ph.D.—A Source Book for Ancient Church History

"That the Righteousness of the Law Might be Fulfilled in Us. "
Rom. viii. 4.--"That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us." God having a great design to declare unto the world both his justice and mercy towards men, he found out this mean most suitable and proportioned unto it, which is here spoken of in the third verse,--to send his own Son to bear the punishment of sin, that the righteousness of the law might be freely and graciously fulfilled in sinners. And, indeed, it was not imaginable by us, how he could declare both in the salvation
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Man after God's Own Heart
"A man after mine own heart, who shall fulfil all my will."--ACTS xiii. 22. A BIBLE STUDY ON THE IDEAL OF A CHRISTIAN LIFE No man can be making much of his life who has not a very definite conception of what he is living for. And if you ask, at random, a dozen men what is the end of their life, you will be surprised to find how few have formed to themselves more than the most dim idea. The question of the summum bonum has ever been the most difficult for the human mind to grasp. What shall a man
Henry Drummond—The Ideal Life

Links
Psalm 40:10 NIV
Psalm 40:10 NLT
Psalm 40:10 ESV
Psalm 40:10 NASB
Psalm 40:10 KJV

Psalm 40:10 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Psalm 40:9
Top of Page
Top of Page