Psalms 40:16

16 (39-17) Let all that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say always: The Lord be magnified.

Psalms 40:16 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 40:16

Let all those that seek thee
In the first place, with their whole hearts, earnestly and diligently, in Christ, and under the influences of his Spirit, for pardon, righteousness, communion, larger measures of grace, and for honour, glory, immortality, and eternal life;

rejoice and be glad in thee:
as their covenant God, the Father of their mercies, the God of all comfort and salvation, who pardons their sins, clothes them with the robes of righteousness and garments of salvation, and accepts their persons in Christ; all which is matter of joy and gladness: Christ is concerned for the joy of his people, ( John 15:11 ) ; the Targum is, "they shall", or "let them rejoice, and be glad in thy word": in himself, the essential Word, in whom there is always ground and reason of joy and gladness; because of his person, blood, righteousness, and sacrifice;

let such as love thy salvation;
either Christ, who is God's salvation, ( Genesis 49:18 ) ( Isaiah 49:6 ) ( Luke 2:29 Luke 2:30 ) ; and who is loved by his people, universally, superlatively, and sincerely; or the salvation of him, his deliverance from the grave, resurrection from the dead, and exaltation; the benefits of which believers share in, and so have reason to love it: or the salvation he is the author of, which is loved by those that know it; partly because agreeable to the divine perfections, the glory of God is great in it; and partly because it is so full and complete in itself, and so suitable to them;

say continually, the Lord be magnified;
let this be their constant employment in this world, as it will be for ever in the next, to ascribe greatness to God; or greatly to praise him, because of the great salvation wrought out for them.

Psalms 40:16 In-Context

14 (39-15) Let them be confounded and ashamed together, that seek after my soul to take it away. Let them be turned backward and be ashamed that desire evils to me.
15 (39-16) Let them immediately bear their confusion, that say to me: ’T is well, t’ is well.
16 (39-17) Let all that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say always: The Lord be magnified.
17 (39-18) But I am a beggar and poor: the Lord is careful for me. Thou art my helper and my protector: O my God, be not slack.
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