Psalm 40:9

9 I have told the glad news of deliverance^[a] in ¹the great congregation; behold, I have not ²restrained my lips, ³as you know, O Lord.

Psalm 40:9 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 40:9

I have preached righteousness in the great congregation
Not the righteousness which the law requires men to do; but the righteousness which Christ himself wrought out, for the justification of them that believe; this he was a preacher, as well as the author of, and is part of the glad tidings he was anointed to preach, ( Isaiah 61:1 ) ; and the word ^F14 here used signifies, for the most part, the publishing of good tidings; and this our Lord did publicly, before all the people, in the synagogues of the Jews, and in the temple, whither the people in great numbers resorted; especially at the three great festivals in the year; the feasts of passover, pentecost, and tabernacles, when all the males were obliged to appear, and made up a great congregation indeed; see ( John 2:23 ) ( John 5:1 John 5:14 ) ( 8:2 ) ( 18:20 ) ;

lo, I have not refrained my lips, O Lord, thou knowest;
Christ appeals to his divine Father, the searcher of hearts, and trier of reins, for the truth of this; that he had not laid any restraint upon his lips, nor kept back anything in his ministry that was profitable; but had taught the way of God in great integrity and sincerity; had opened his mouth, and spoke freely and fully, and used great plainness of speech.

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FOOTNOTES:

F14 (ytrvb) (euhggelisamhn) Sept. "evangelizavi", Schmidt, Michaelis; "I have preached the glad tidings of justice", Ainsworth.

Psalm 40:9 In-Context

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.

11 As for you, O Lord, you will not restrain your mercy from me; your steadfast love and your faithfulness will ever preserve me!

Cross References

• 1. 40:9 See Ps. 22:25
• 2. 40:9 Ps. 119:13; [Acts 20:20, 27]
• 3. 40:9 Josh. 22:22

Footnotes

• [a] 40:9 Hebrew 'righteousness'; also verse 10