Psalms 40
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11. may be rendered as an assertion, that God will not withhold ( Psalms 16:1 ).
12. evils--inflicted by others.
iniquities--or penal afflictions, and sometimes calamities in the wide sense. This meaning of the word is very common. ( Psalms 31:11 , 38:4 ; compare Genesis 4:13 , Cain's punishment; Genesis 19:15 , that of Sodom 1 Samuel 28:10 , of the witch of En-dor; also 2 Samuel 16:12 , Job 19:29 , Isaiah 5:18 , 53:11 ). This meaning of the word is also favored by the clause, "taken hold of me," which follows, which can be said appropriately of sufferings, but not of sins (compare Job 27:20 , Psalms 69:24 ). Thus, the difficulties in referring this Psalm to Christ, arising from the usual reading of this verse, are removed. Of the terrible afflictions, or sufferings, alluded to and endured for us, compare Luke 22:39-44 , and the narrative of the scenes of Calvary.
my heart faileth me--( Matthew 26:38 ), "My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death."
cannot look up--literally, "I cannot see," not denoting the depression of conscious guilt, as Luke 18:13 , but exhaustion from suffering, as dimness of eyes (compare Psalms 6:7 , 13:3 , 38:10 ). The whole context thus sustains the sense assigned to iniquities.
13. (Compare Psalms 22:19 ).
14, 15. The language is not necessarily imprecatory, but rather a confident expectation ( Psalms 5:11 ), though the former sense is not inconsistent with Christ's prayer for the forgiveness of His murderers, inasmuch as their confusion and shame might be the very means to prepare them for humbly seeking forgiveness (compare Acts 2:37 ).
15. for a reward--literally, "in consequence of."
Aha--(Compare Psalms 35:21 Psalms 35:25 ).
16. (Compare Psalms 35:27 ).
love thy salvation--delight in its bestowal on others as well as themselves.
17. A summary of his condition and hopes.
thinketh upon--or provides for me. "He was heard," "when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears, unto Him that was able to save him from death" [ Hebrews 5:7 ].