Psalm 40:7

7 and so I answered, "Here I am; your instructions for me are in the book of the Law.

Psalm 40:7 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 40:7

Then said I
As in the council and covenant of peace, when and where he declared his willingness to come into the world, and make satisfaction for the sins of his people; so when the fulness of time was come for his appearance in human nature he repeated the same; for of the time of his coming into the world are these words interpreted, ( Hebrews 10:5 ) ; when sacrifice and offering God would not have any longer continued, and when a body was prepared him, then he said,

Lo, I come;
O Father; as Apollinarius, in his metaphrase, adds; that is, freely, and without compulsion; immediately, at once, without any delay; and he himself, and not another; and this not by change of place, but by assumption of nature; taking the body, or human nature, prepared for him, and uniting it to himself; to which the word "lo" is prefixed as a note of attention and admiration; the incarnation of Christ being a wonderful affair, and of the utmost moment and importance;

in the volume of the book [it is] written of me;
either in the book of divine predestination, in the purposes and decrees of God, ( Psalms 139:16 ) ; or in the book of the Scriptures; either in general, ( John 5:39 ) ( Luke 24:27 Luke 24:44 ) ; or particularly in the book of the Psalms, ( Psalms 1:1 Psalms 1:2 ) ( Psalms 2:2 Psalms 2:6 Psalms 2:7 ) ; or rather in the book of the law, the five books of Moses, since these were the only books or volumes that were composed at the writing of this psalm; and it has respect not to ( Deuteronomy 18:15 ) ; nor ( Deuteronomy 17:18 ) ; nor ( Exodus 21:6 ) ; but rather ( Genesis 3:15 ) ; and seeing the coming of Christ into the world was not only appointed of God, agreed unto by Christ, but was prophesied of, and penned down in the sacred writings; therefore at the appointed time he came, freely and willingly. This book is called a volume, or roll, alluding to the manner of writing formerly; when what was written was finished, it was rolled about a stick in the manner of a cylinder; and in this form is the book of the law with the Jews to this day; (See Gill on Luke 4:17).

Psalm 40:7 In-Context

5 You have done many things for us, O Lord our God; there is no one like you! You have made many wonderful plans for us. I could never speak of them all - their number is so great!

6 You do not want sacrifices and offerings; you do not ask for animals burned whole on the altar or for sacrifices to take away sins. Instead, you have given me ears to hear you,

7 and so I answered, "Here I am; your instructions for me are in the book of the Law.

8 How I love to do your will, my God! I keep your teaching in my heart."

9 In the assembly of all your people, Lord, I told the good news that you save us. You know that I will never stop telling it.

Footnotes

• [a] your instructions . . . Law; [or] my devotion to you is recorded in your book.