Psalm 40:9

9 (39-10) I have declared thy justice in a great church, lo, I will not restrain my lips: O Lord, thou knowest it.

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 (39-8) Then said I, Behold I come. In the head of the book it is written of me

8 (39-9) That I should do thy will: O my God, I have desired it, and thy law in the midst of my heart.

9 (39-10) I have declared thy justice in a great church, lo, I will not restrain my lips: O Lord, thou knowest it.

10 (39-11) I have not hid thy justice within my heart: I have declared thy truth and thy salvation. I have not concealed thy mercy and thy truth from a great council.

11 (39-12) Withhold not thou, O Lord, thy tender mercies from me: thy mercy and thy truth have always upheld me.