Psalms 40:8

8 1I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is 2within my heart."

Psalms 40:8 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 40:8

I delight to do thy will, O my God
This he came down from heaven to do, and this he did do, by preaching the Gospel, and working miracles; and above all by obtaining eternal redemption for his people, which he effected by fulfilling the law, becoming a sacrifice, and suffering and dying in their room; all which were the will of God, and grateful to him, and in doing which Christ took the utmost delight and pleasure, ( John 4:34 ) ( Luke 12:50 ) ;

yea, thy law [is] within my heart;
either the whole moral law, under which he was, as man, and the surety of his people; and which was written upon his heart, and which he perfectly obeyed; or that particular law, injunction, and command laid upon him by his Father, to offer himself a sacrifice, and lay down his life for men; which he agreed to, had it in his mind, his heart was set upon it, and he cheerfully complied with it, ( John 10:18 ) ( 14:31 ) .

Psalms 40:8 In-Context

6 In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required.
7 Then I said, "Behold, I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me:
8 I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart."
9 I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; behold, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O LORD.
10 I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation.

Cross References 2

  • 1. Ps. 119:16, 24, 35, 92; [John 4:34]
  • 2. See Psalms 37:31
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.