Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 40:9
I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.
9. I have preached righteousness ] R.V. I have published: better, as R.V. marg., I have proclaimed glad tidings of, (LXX). His theme was ‘righteousness;’ all the facts which are the concrete manifestation and evidence of God’s righteousness ( Psa 40:10). The good news which he can proclaim is the certainty of the just moral government of the world, and Jehovah’s faithfulness to His people. And this he has done in the great congregation, with the utmost publicity (Psa 22:25; Psa 35:18), perhaps, as the prophets often delivered their messages, on some festival (Jer 26:2).
I have not refrained ] R.V. restores Coverdale’s I will not refrain: but the words refer rather to what he did in the past than to what he resolves to do in the future. By rendering I did not restrain, the connexion with Psa 40:11 may be brought out.
thou knowest ] For the appeal to God’s omniscience, cp. Psa 69:5; Jer 15:15.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
9 11. Beside the sacrifice of himself, he has not failed to render the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, by the fullest public proclamation of Jehovah’s goodness, which he trusts he will still continue to experience.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
I have preached righteousness in the great congregation – I have main tained and defended the principles of righteousness and truth among assembled multitudes. it would be difficult to see how this could be applied to David himself, or on what occasion of his life this could be said of him; but no one can doubt that this is applicable to the Messiah:
(a) He was a preacher.
(b) He addressed vast multitudes.
(c) Before them all, and at all times, he maintained and illustrated the great principles of righteousness as demanded by the law of God, and unfolded the way in which all those multitudes might become righteous before God.
Lo, I have not refrained my lips – I have not closed my lips. I have not kept back the truth.
O Lord, thou knowest – He could make this solemn appeal to God as the Searcher of hearts, in proof that he had faithfully uttered all that had been required of him in making known the will of God. Compare Joh 17:4, Joh 17:6,Joh 17:8, Joh 17:14, Joh 17:26.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Psa 40:9-10
I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O Lord, Thou knowest.
Christian conversation
There is a recluse and sequestered piety in the world which shuns expression. It preserves decorum and propriety; but it rarely speaks out for Christ. We are all acquainted with praying, pious, upright people, strict observers of the moral law, who yet have never been heard, at any time, to give utterance to their religious convictions, or to stand forth in defence of the faith against its assailants, or in the way of exhortation to holiness.
1. In this matter our age stands in strong contrast to some former notable periods. In the days of Whitefield and Wesley men everywhere and in all conditions made religion a matter of common converse. Then great reforms took place. The traffic in slaves was stopped; the condition of prisoners improved; Church missions and Sunday schools were established. Then society was almost universally stirred and excited by the most glorious themes of the Gospel.
2. Observe how desirable in every way is the practice of converse upon the things of God. Christianity is no private monopoly, no exclusive, personal possession. It is a social religion, because it is made to be talked of, and talked into every sphere of life, and to rule and govern them all.
3. It is, then, very clearly our duty to use the faculty of speech for Gods glory, for the health and strengthening of human souls. All the processes of building and uprearing in this world are prized by men. But by just so much as souls are nobler, grander structure than houses or palaces, or bodies, so the vital energy of pure and holy speech, dropped into the outward and inner ears of men, startling, quickening, sobering, prompting, guiding, elevating, sanctifying them, to good resolves, to noble acts, to self-devotion to God and man, to purity, to excellence and heavenly-mindedness; so the work and power of holy speech towers immeasurably above all the constructive work of architects and builders in this outward, visible world.
4. You tell me it is bard to talk about religion. Many people are reluctant and unwilling to speak concerning this most sacred of all themes, lest they should be betrayed into a habit of cant; which is the simulation of feeling when one has no feeling. Others are afraid of becoming flippant about holy things. And, first let me say there can be no general rule given concerning religious conversation. Perhaps the nearest approach one can make to a precept are the words of St. Paul (Col 4:6). That is, our conversation should be saturated with pious and religious prudence flowing from the Holy Spirit. In ordinary conversation we should talk with such a sense of sacred propriety, with such Christian cheerfulness, with such generous courtesy for the opinions and feelings of others, that although the name of Christ be never mentioned, people may gather that we have been with Him, and that His Holy Spirit is the prompter of our life and thought. On the other hand, there are times when our discourse should be most direct and distinct. When we are dealing with the sick, with people who are anxious and inquiring, with indifferent and careless people, then circumlocution or indirection is a great fault. Be faithful to souls, in your conversation as well as in your walk and bearing. But bear in mind two things.
(1) That no stilted, formal, unmeaning words on religion will reach any mans soul. If you are not impelled by duty and interest in men to talk with them concerning religious matters, hold your tongue.
(2) Join to this the duty of avoiding all debate and wrangling upon religion. The work of Christians is to persuade and invite the careless; not to dispute with them. (A. Crummell.)
The Masters profession the disciples pursuit
These are the words of the Lord Jesus Christ spoken by Him through the spirit of prophecy in the Old Testament. And–
I. Our Lord did undoubtedly fulfil them. He concentrated every faculty and power to this work; He testified frequently to the greatest crowd. His preaching was never heartless. As if He had said, Thy righteousness is in my heart, but I have never concealed it there. And He always kept to vital matters–to God and His attributes. Thy righteousness, Thy faithfulness, etc.
II. Let us strive to be able to say the same. It is certain that many will never be able to, for in all our churches there is a very large proportion of idle people. I hope they are saved; the Lord knows whether they are or not, but whatever else they are saved from, certainly they are not saved from laziness. They must imagine that they are ornaments, for certainly they are of no use, so far as any good offices are concerned. Nor will cowardly people be able to make this protest. The retiring disposition of many Christians is seen in somewhat the same way as that of the soldier who, when a charge was ordered, felt himself unworthy to be in the front ranks. Nor again will spasmodic people–people who begin things with much zeal, and then drop them. But many men of one talent will. I have known many such–good, earnest, humble, patient, praying toilers, hidden in obscure villages, with an extremely narrow sphere. And some, too, to whom larger talents have been entrusted. Let all such resolve to be able to lay claim to its praise.
III. If we can, much comfort on many solemn subjects will be gained. The death of so many unsaved men; their hereafter, so awful; the doom of the heathen, the uprisings of error–for the blame of this wilt not lie at our door. Now, are not some of you ready to undertake this work of going forth as Gods missionaries? In the sight of God ask yourselves–is it not your duty? (C. H. Spurgeon.)
I have not hid Thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared Thy faithfulness and Thy salvation.—
Those who know God will confess Him
The psalmist here tells not only of what was an actual fact, but what is more, that he could not help thus testifying of Gods salvation. What I propose, accordingly, at the present time, is to speak of the necessary openness of a holy experience; or, in other words, of the impossibility that the inward revelation of God in the soul should be shut up in it, and remain hid or unacknowledged. I shall have in view especially two classes of hearers that are widely distinguished one from the other; first, the class who lude the grace of God in their heart undesignedly, or by reason of some undue modesty; and secondly, the class who, pretending to have it, or consciously having it not, take a pleasure in throwing discredit on all the appropriate expressions of it, such as are made by the open testimony and formal profession of Christ before men. The former class are certainly blameable in no such sense or degree as the others. They are naturally timorous and self-distrustful persons, it may be, and do not see that they are distrusting God rather than themselves. They seem to themselves to have been truly renewed in the love of God, but they have some doubts, and they make it appear to be wiser that they should not, just now, testify their supposed new experience. In opposition to both these claims we would affirm the necessary openness of a holy experience. For–
1. Such experience is even an impulse to self-manifestation, as all love and gratitude are. It wants to speak and declare itself as naturally as a child will utter its first cry. Thus, if one of you had been rescued, in a shipwreck on a foreign shore, by some common sailor who had risked his life to save you, and you should discover him across the street in some great city, you would rush to his side, seize his hand, and begin at once, with a choking utterance, to testify your gratitude to him for so great a deliverance. Or, if you should pass restrainedly on, making no sign, pretending to yourself that you might be wanting in delicacy or modesty to publish your private feelings by any such eager acknowledgment of your deliverer, or that you ought first to be more sure of the genuineness of your gratitude, what opinion must we have, in such a case, of your heartlessness and falseness to nature? In the same way how can the young convert keep from saying, Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare, etc. etc.
2. Such an inward change is in its very nature the soul and root of a corresponding outward change. It is the righteousness of God revealed within, to be henceforth the actuating spring and power of a righteous and devoted life. It will inform the whole man. It will glow in the countenance. It will irradiate the eye. It will speak from the tongue. It will modulate the very gait. The good tree will show the good fruit. It cannot go on to bear the old, bad fruit out of modesty, or a pretended shrinking from ostentation; it must reveal the righteousness of God within, by the fruits of righteousness without, else it is only a mockery.
3. If any one proposes beforehand in his religious endeavours, or in seeking after God, to come into a secret experience and keep it a secret, his endeavour is plainly one that falsifies the very notion of Christian piety, and if he succeeds or seems to succeed, he only practises a fraud in which he imposes on himself.
4. It is not less clear, as I have already said incidentally, and now say only more directly, that the grace of God in the heart, unmanifested or kept secret, as many propose that it shall be, even for their whole life, will be certainly stifled and extinguished. The thought itself is a mockery of the Holy Spirit. The heart might as well be required to live and not beat as the new heart of love to hush itself and keep still in the bosom. Nothing can live that is not permitted to show the signs of life.
5. This is the express teaching of the Gospel, which everywhere and in every possible way calls out the souls renewed in Christ to live an open life of sacrifice and duty. He calls upon them to endure hardness, to make a loss of all things for His sake, to be His witnesses before men; leading always the way by their own bold, faithful testimony. The nearest approach to such encouragement anywhere given, is that which is afforded by the ease of the two senators, Joseph and Nicodemus. One of them, we are told, was a disciple secretly, for fear of the Sews. And the other came to Jesus by night, to inquire of Him, that he might not be counted a disciple. Both of them appear to have kept silence on His trial before the council, letting the decision go against Him there, and taking no responsibility on His account. But after He was crucified, they came to ask the body, and brought spices to embalm it. They were good, as disciples, to bury Jesus, but not to save His life, or serve Him while living. The truth is, that there is a very heavy shade over these two delicate and courtly friends of Jesus. They were men of society, and therefore saw the dignity of Jesus; but if you would like to be reasonably confident of your salvation, it certainly becomes you to do something a great deal more positive than to let your Master die, making no stand for Him oven in the council where His death is voted, and then come in with spices to bury Him. The most fragrant spices are those that honour ones life, and not the posthumous odours that embalm His body. How singular is it, too, that not even the Pentecost calls out these disciples of the tomb. It is as if they had been buried with their Master and had not risen. In that wondrous scene of fellowship, where so many from all parts of the world are surprised to find themselves confessing and embracing, in open brotherhood, strangers of all climes and orders, and selling even their goods to relieve the common wants, it does not appear that any spices of the heavenly charity are brought in by these two. The real truth is, in respect to almost all these pretenders to a secret religion, that they are persons who know nothing of it. They are moralists, it may be, practising at what they call a virtue by themselves, but they do nothing that brings them into any relationship with God. It is not the righteousness of God which they have hidden so carefully, but it is their own–which, after all, is not hid. What value there may be in discoveries of Christian experience. Some of the best and holiest impulses ever given to the cause of God in mens hearts are given by testimonies of Christian experience. They may be abused, but that is no reason against their proper use. Besides, there is a higher view of these personal testimonies and confessions. All these experiences, or life-histories of the faithful, will be among the grandest studies and most glorious revelations of the future. Exactly as an apostle intimates in those most hopeful, inspiring words of his, When lie shall come to be glorified in His saints, and to be admired in all them that believe. May He not be glorified in them here, and, in some feebler measure, admired for the testimonies yielded by their experience as their warfare goes on. How many are there in our Christian communities that are living afar off and apparently quite inaccessible, who, if, at a certain time in their life, they had gone forward and taken the places to which they were called, would now be among the shining members of the great body of saints. Then testify freely, act but naturally, live openly the grace that is in you. (Horace Bushnell, D. D.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 9. I have preached righteousness] I think it best to refer these words to Christ and his apostles. In consequence of his having become a sacrifice for sin, the Jewish sacrificial system being ended, the middle wall of partition was broken down, and the door of faith, the doctrine of justification by faith, opened to the Gentiles. Hence the Gospel was preached in all the world, and the mercy of God made known to the Gentiles; and thus righteousness – justification by faith, was preached in the great congregation-to Jews and Gentiles, throughout the Roman empire.
The great congregation, both in this and the following verse, I think, means the Gentiles, contradistinguished from the Jews.
The word righteousness means the plan or method of salvation by Jesus Christ – God’s method of justifying sinners by faith, without the deeds of the law. See Ro 3:25-26, and the notes there.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Righteousness, to wit, thy righteousness, as it is expressed in the next verse, i.e. thy faithfulness, as it is there explained; or righteousness properly so called; for both were fully declared and demonstrated in Christ, the former in sending him into the world according to his promise, Act 13:23, and the latter in inflicting death upon him for mans sin, Rom 3:25,26. In the great congregation; in the most public and solemn assemblies; not only to the Jews, but also to all other nations; to whom Christ preached by his apostles, as is observed, Eph 2:17.
I have not refrained my lips, to wit, from preaching it, out of sloth, or fear, or self love, but have preached it publicly, and even to the face of mine enemies, though I knew my preaching would cost me my life.
Thou knowest; I call thee to witness the truth of what I say.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
9, 10. I have preachedliterally,”announced good tidings.” Christ’s prophetical office istaught. He “preached” the great truths of God’s governmentof sinners.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
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, Isa 61:1; and the word n 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 Joh 2:23;
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.
n Sept. “evangelizavi”, Schmidt, Michaelis; “I have preached the glad tidings of justice”, Ainsworth.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
9. I have proclaimed thy righteousness in the great assembly. Here David again brings forward his own thankfulness, and for no other reason but to induce God to continue his goodness towards him. God, whenever he manifests his liberality towards us, encourages us to render thanks to him; and he continues to act in a similar manner towards us when he sees that we are thankful and mindful of what he has done for us. In the first place, David makes use simply of the word righteousness; but it must be understood of the righteousness of God, which he expressly mentions soon after. Nor does he say, that it was only in the secret affection of the heart, or in private, that he offered praise to God, but that he had openly proclaimed it in the solemn assembly, even as the faithful in those days were wont to testify their devotion by presenting peace-offerings to God when they had been delivered from any great danger. The great assembly of which he speaks is not to be understood of the concourse of people that assemble at courts of law, or at the public market-places, but it denotes the true and lawfully constituted Church of God, which we know assembled in the place of his sanctuary. Accordingly, he declares that he had not concealed in his heart the righteousness of God, which it becomes us publicly to make known for the edification of one another. Those who keep it hid in their hearts are surely seeking as much as in them lies that the memory of God may be buried in oblivion. He calls upon God as a witness of this, not only to distinguish between himself and hypocrites, who often proclaim loudly, and with all their might, the praises of God, and yet do so without the least spark of affection; but also to make it the more abundantly obvious that he had sincerely and heartily uttered the praises of God, and was careful not to defraud him of any part of them. This affirmation teaches us that the subject which is here treated of is one of no small importance; for although God stands in no need of our praises, yet it is his will that this exercise for many reasons should prevail amongst us.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(9) I have preached.Literally, I have made countenances glad.
Notice the rapid succession of clauses, like successive wave-beats of praise, better than any elaborate description to represent the feelings of one whose life was a thanksgiving.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
9. I have preached The word preach is too modern and technical. The idea is, to announce, publish, make manifest. This was Christ’s distinctive office. See note on Psa 22:22; Psa 22:25; and compare Mat 4:23.
Righteousness This was the subject announced called Psa 40:10, “thy righteousness,” “thy faithfulness,” “thy salvation,” “thy lovingkindness and thy truth.” These are evangelical themes involving the justice and faithfulness of God in the methods of atonement and pardon. Rom 3:21-22; Isa 61:1.
Great congregation “Congregation” is the title of the collective body of the Hebrew nation as a religious community, an ecclesiastical rather than a civil designation. The Septuagint here is, , the New Testament word for church. In the closing line of this verse the Greek has it, great synagogue, another Jewish designation of a religious assembly. “Great congregation,” probably only stands opposed to local or partial gatherings, or to masses as opposed to representative elders or princes. The repeated asseverations, “I have preached,” “I have not refrained,” “I have not bid,” “I have declared,” “I have not concealed,” evince the earnest faithfulness of the psalmist in making known God’s mercy.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
He Declares to God That He Has Been Faithful In His Testimony Towards His Fellow Believers About God’s Goodness And Faithfulness, Which Is Of Course An Essential Part Of His Obedience ( Psa 40:9-10 ).
Psa 40:9-10
‘I have proclaimed glad tidings of righteousness in the great assembly,
Lo, I will not refrain my lips, O YHWH, you know.
I have not hid your righteousness within my heart,
I have declared your faithfulness and your salvation,
I have not concealed your lovingkindness,
And your truth from the great assembly.’
He declares that in the assembly and worship of the people of God he has proclaimed glad tidings of ‘righteousness’. In mind here are probably God’s righteous acts in delivering His people from Philistine oppression through him (e.g. 1Sa 6:6-9, 6:30). We must remember here that the ideas of ‘righteousness’ and ‘salvation’ are regularly seen in parallel. And he assures God that he will not refrain from doing so, so that all the glory might go to YHWH, something that he is assured God already knows.
Thus he can quite honestly declare that he has not hidden the truth about God’s righteous activity in his heart, but has faithfully declared his faithfulness and deliverance to all. Nor has he concealed God’s covenant love or His truth from them in the great assembly. In other words he assures God that he has made quite clear to the people how much they owe to God in His faithfulness and love, for their deliverance.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Psa 40:9. I have preached righteousness The person speaking here declares that he has done what God required. If we understand it of David, the benefits and mercies which God had vouchsafed to him and his people must be meant by righteousness; but if of Christ, as seems most proper, then it must refer to the righteousness of God revealed by faith, and made known by Jesus Christ to his church.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
DISCOURSE: 570
CHRIST A PREACHER OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
Psa 40:9-10. I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: Lo, I have not refrained my lips, O Lord, thou knowest. I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart: I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation; I hare not concealed thy loving-kindness and thy truth from the great congregation.
SOME of the most important prophecies are introduced in such a way as clearly to shew, that the writers of them were overruled, as it were, by a divine impulse, to speak things which they themselves did not understand. This was certainly the case with Caiaphas, who, being the High Priest, was moved by God to utter words, of the true import of which he had not the slightest conception [Note: Joh 11:49-52.]. I think it highly probable, also, that David in this psalm had no just comprehension of the prophecy before us The beginning of the psalm and the end of it seem to belong to David only: but here is a passage which can have no reference to him, and can be interpreted of Christ alone. To him it is applied in the Epistle to the Hebrews; the writer of which, shewing the utter inefficacy of the legal sacrifices to take away sin, refers to this psalm in confirmation of his statement; and argues from it, that God in this very passage had declared his determination to remove the shadowy institutions of the law, and to establish that which was revealed in the Gospel, even that one offering of Christ Jesus, whereby the whole world may be sanctified and saved [Note: Heb 10:4-10.].
The words of my text stand in immediate connexion with those cited by the Apostle: and they declare what Christ should do in his prophetic office: that as, in the capacity of our great High Priest, he should offer himself a sacrifice for our sins, so, in the capacity of a Prophet to his Church, he should preach righteousness and salvation to the whole world.
In this view of the passage, I shall be led to consider it as fulfilled,
I.
In the ministry of Christ himself
Our blessed Lord did not, indeed, open the truths of the Gospel so fully as his Apostles did after his resurrection: for, till after his death and resurrection, the people were not prepared to receive a full Communication of all which he was commissioned to reveal. He told his hearers, that he had many things to say unto them; but that they could not bear them then [Note: Joh 16:12.]. Yet did he so far unfold the mystery of godliness to his hearers, that all future revelations of it should evidently appear to be only a continuation and enlargement of the same divine testimony.
1.
He traced salvation to its source, the love of God the Father [Note: Joh 3:16.]
2.
He referred to his own sufferings as the means whereby it was to be accomplished [Note: Mat 20:28; Mat 26:26-28.]
3.
He displayed it in all its glorious effects, the glory of God, and the salvation of man [Note: Joh 12:28; Joh 12:32. He opened it fully, under the images of the bread of life, Joh 6:35; Joh 6:47-51; Joh 4:13-14. as also under other images, Joh 11:25-26; Joh 14:6.]
Nor could any consideration whatever induce him to conceal within his own bosom any one truth which he was commissioned to declare.
[He could appeal to the heart-searching God, I have not refrained my lips, O Lord, thou knowest. In every part of his ministry he witnessed a good confession [Note: 1Ti 6:13.]: and, at the close of it, gave the most explicit directions relative to the truths that should be proclaimed by all the ministers of his word [Note: Luk 24:46-47.].]
This passage is fulfilled yet further,
II.
In the ministry of all his faithful servants
St. Peter unfolded this great salvation both to Jews [Note: Act 2:36; Act 3:16; Act 3:19; Act 4:10-12; Act 5:30-31; Act 13:38-39.] and Gentiles [Note: Act 10:43.] St. Paul determined to know nothing amongst his people, save Jesus Christ and him crucified [Note: 1Co 2:2.]
And we also can appeal to God that we, according to our ability, have followed his steps, not shunning to declare unto you all the counsel of God [Note: Act 20:27. Here the different expressions of the text may be dwelt upon to advantage.]
Let me then inquire,
1.
What know you of this subject?
[It is surprising how ignorant of this great salvation many are, even after it has been preached to them faithfully for many years. But the truth is, men do not meditate on what they hear, or pray to God to impress it on their minds by his Holy Spirit: and hence, the word, like seed sown by the way-side, is taken away from their hearts, and either never springs up at all, or springs only to wither immediately for want of either root or moisture. But, my dear Brethren, you must give account to God of all that you hear, as I also must of all that I preach: and I pray God, that I may so speak, and you hear, that we may give up our account together, with joy, and not with grief ]
2.
What effect has it produced upon you?
[The use of the Gospel is to bring us unto Christ, and to assimilate us to his divine image. If, then, we receive it aright, we shall be able to say with Christ, I delight to do thy will, O my God; yea, thy Law is within my heart [Note: ver. 8.]. And, as Christ hid not Gods righteousness within his heart, but proclaimed it boldly to the great congregation, so must you, Brethren, before the whole world be ready to confess Christ, and to follow him faithfully, even unto death. You must not only cleave to him with full purpose of heart [Note: Act 11:23.], but must glory in his cross, and by means of it be crucified unto the world, and have the world crucified unto you [Note: Gal 6:14.]. Let me then ask, Is it thus with your souls? Oh, let there be in you the mind that was in Christ Jesus [Note: Php 2:5.]! So shall you partake with him in all the glory and felicity which the Father has conferred upon him [Note: Php 2:9.], and which he also is empowered to bestow on all his faithful followers [Note: Luk 22:29. Rev 3:21.].]
Fuente: Charles Simeon’s Horae Homileticae (Old and New Testaments)
Reader! do observe two grand things here mentioned. First, Christ is the Preacher of his own gospel. Having performed the office of a priest, he is also the prophet of his church. And secondly, do observe moreover what Christ preached, namely righteousness, God’s righteousness. Yes! this was the office to which the Most Holy was to be anointed, when he had finished transgression, and made an end of sin, to bring in an everlasting righteousness, and which righteousness was to be unto all, and upon all them that believe, for there is no difference. Compare Isa 61:1 , with Luk 4:18 . Compare Dan 9:24 , with Rom 3:12 . And how truly lovely is it, when we hear Christ by the spirit of prophecy in this Psalm declaring, that he hath preached it, that he did not hide it in his heart, nor conceal the Father’s loving-kindness and truth from his redeemed, both Jew and Gentile, which are the great congregation; and then turn to the gospel, and behold the Lord Jesus, in the days of his flesh, going about preaching salvation, and when returning to glory, giving a commission to his disciples to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. Mar 16:15Mar 16:15 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 40:9 I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.
Ver. 9. I have preached righteousness in the great congregation ] David did this, but Christ much more, by the everlasting gospel, sent the whole world throughout. Great was the company of preachers, and large was their commission. See a draught of it Act 26:18 .
I have declared thy faithfulness, and thy salvation
O Lord, thou knowest
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Psa 40:9-10
9I have proclaimed glad tidings of righteousness in the great congregation;
Behold, I will not restrain my lips,
O Lord, You know.
10I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart;
I have spoken of Your faithfulness and Your salvation;
I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth from the great congregation.
Psa 40:9-10 The psalmist witnesses of YHWH’s attributes in a temple/tabernacle (cf. Psa 22:25) worship setting (i.e., the great congregation).
1. Your righteousness BDB 842, see SPECIAL TOPIC: RIGHTEOUSNESS
2. Your faithfulness BDB 53, see SPECIAL TOPIC: Believe, Trust, Faith, and Faithfulness in the Old Testament
3. Your salvation BDB 448, see Special Topic: SALVATION (OLD TESTAMENT TERM)
4. Your lovingkindness BDB 338, see SPECIAL TOPIC: LOVINGKINDNESS (HESED)
5. Your truth BDB 54, see Special Topic: Amen
Psa 40:11 adds to this list (the strophe division is uncertain).
6. Your compassion BDB 933
7. Your lovingkindness BDB 338
8. Your Truth BDB 54
These are the great theological words of the OT which describe how the covenant God deals with the sons/daughters of Adam because of His special call of Abraham (see SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH’s ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN ).
Psa 40:9 You know YHWH knows the heart of His human creation (cf. Jos 22:22; 1Sa 2:3; 1Sa 16:7; 1Ki 8:39; 1Ch 28:9; Psa 139:2-4; Jer 17:10; Jer 20:12; Luk 16:15; Act 1:24; Act 15:8; Rom 8:27).
Psa 40:10 Notice the series of verbs whereby the psalmist affirms his full and open testimony about YHWH.
1. I have proclaimed BDB 142, KB 163, Piel perfect, Psa 40:9
2. I have not hidden BDB 491, KB 487, Qal perfect, Psa 40:10
3. I have spoken BDB 55, KB 65, Qal perfect, Psa 40:10
4. I have not concealed BDB 470, KB 469, Piel perfect
YHWH desires that His people lift up His character and actions in praise and witness, so that all humans made in His image (cf. Gen 1:26-27) may come to know and worship Him!
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
preached = declared as glad tidings = euaggelizo in N.T.
congregation = assembly, or convocation.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Psa 40:9
Psa 40:9
“I have proclaimed glad tidings of righteousness in the great assembly;
Lo I will not refrain my lips,
O Jehovah, thou knewest.”
There can be little doubt that this passage, as Matthew Henry said, is a reference, “To the coming of the great salvation, and that `great salvation’ began to be spoken by the Lord (Heb 2:3), and not by David. “This is a reference to the Gospel of Christ which is preached to all nations.
“In the great assembly” (Psa 40:9). This is a much more understandable statement as a reference to the fantastically large crowds of the people who heard the preaching of Jesus Christ than it ever could be as applied to any preaching ever done by David.
E.M. Zerr:
Psa 40:9. This verse is less definite than the preceding paragraph. It is prophetic of the work of Christ, and also describes the activities of David in the congregation of Israel over which he was king.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
preached: Psa 22:22, Psa 22:25, Psa 35:18, Psa 71:15-18, Mar 16:15, Mar 16:16, Luk 4:16-22, Heb 2:12
not: Psa 119:13, Psa 119:171, Psa 119:172
thou knowest: Psa 139:2, Joh 21:17
Reciprocal: Deu 6:7 – shalt talk 1Ki 8:65 – a great Job 6:10 – have not concealed Job 7:11 – I will not Psa 89:1 – with Psa 107:32 – in the congregation Psa 111:1 – assembly Psa 145:5 – will speak Ecc 1:1 – the Preacher Ecc 10:12 – words Isa 48:6 – and will Isa 58:1 – spare Mat 13:54 – he taught Mar 2:2 – and he Mar 4:22 – General Joh 6:59 – in the Joh 7:26 – he speaketh Joh 18:20 – I spake Act 20:20 – I kept Rom 1:16 – I am Phi 2:16 – Holding Col 4:6 – your 2Ti 4:2 – Preach
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Psa 40:9-10. I have preached righteousness Namely, thy righteousness, as it is expressed in the next verse; that is, thy faithfulness, as it is there explained; or, righteousness properly so called; for both were fully declared and demonstrated in Christ; the former in Gods sending him into the world, according to his promise, Act 13:23; and the latter in inflicting death upon him for mans sin, Rom 3:25-26. In the great congregation In the most public and solemn assemblies; not only to the Jews, but also to all nations; to whom Christ preached by his apostles, as is observed, Eph 2:17. I have not refrained From preaching it, even to the face of mine enemies, though I knew my preaching would cost me my life. O Lord, thou knowest I call thee to witness the truth of what I say. I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart I had it there, Psa 40:8; but did not shut it up there, but spread it abroad for thy glory and the good of mankind. I have declared thy salvation Which thou hast wrought both for me and by me.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
40:9 I have preached righteousness in the {h} great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.
(h) In the Church assembled in the sanctuary.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Part of God’s will for David, as a person and as Israel’s king, was that he should praise the Lord. The psalmist said he carried out this duty joyfully. He spoke publicly of God’s righteousness, faithfulness, salvation, loyal love, and truth.