---
title: "Commentary on the Psalms, Volume 5"
author: "John Calvin"
translator: "James Anderson"
languages: [en]
shelf: "Commentaries"
section: 64 of 159
url: https://scriptura.si/works/john-calvin-commentary-on-the-psalms-volume-5/64/
cite: "John Calvin, tr. James Anderson, Commentary on the Psalms, Volume 5, section 64. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/john-calvin-commentary-on-the-psalms-volume-5/64/"
---

# Commentary on the Psalms, Volume 5

*John Calvin, tr. James Anderson*

Calvin on the Psalms, volume 5 of 5.

## 64. Psalm 40

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/john-calvin-commentary-on-the-psalms-volume-5/64/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/john-calvin-commentary-on-the-psalms-volume-5/64/#p-N

[¶0] To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David

[¶1] 1 I have patiently waited for Jehovah, And he inclined to me, and heard my cry.

[¶2] 2 And he drew me out of the roaring pit, Out of the mire of clay, And set upon a rock my feet; He hath established my steps.

[¶3] 3 And he hath put in my mouth a song [that is] new, Even praise to our God: See shall many and shall fear, And shall trust in Jehovah.

[¶4] 4 Blessed is the man who maketh Jehovah his confidence, And hath not respected the proud, Nor those who turn aside to lying.

[¶5] 5 Many, O Jehovah, my God! are thy wonderful works which thou hast done; And thy thoughts towards us it is impossible to reckon up in order to thee: I will declare and speak [of them;] [But] they are more than can be told.

[¶6] 6 Sacrifice and oblation thou hast not taken pleasure in: But my ears hast thou made fit: Burnt-offering and sin-offering thou hast not required.

[¶7] 7 Then I said, “Behold! I come; “In the volume of the book it is written of me,

[¶8] 8 “That I may do thy pleasure, O my God! “I have desired to do it, “And thy law is in the midst of my bowels.”

[¶9] 9 I have proclaimed thy righteousness in the assembly great: Behold my lips I will not restrain; O Jehovah! thou knowest it.

[¶10] 10 Thy righteousness I have not hidden within my heart; Thy truth and thy salvation I have declared: I have not concealed thy goodness and thy truth in the assembly great.

[¶11] 11 O thou, Jehovah! withhold not thy compassions from me; Let thy goodness and thy truth continually preserve me.

[¶12] 12 For encompassed me have evils innumerable; Laid hold upon me have my iniquities, yea in so great number that I cannot see them: They are more in number than the hairs of my head; And my heart hath failed me.

[¶13] 13 Let it please thee, O Jehovah! to deliver me; O Jehovah! to my aid make haste.

[¶14] 14 Let them be put to shame and confounded together Who seek after my soul to destroy it; Let them be turned backward and put to shame Who seek after my hurt.

[¶15] 15 Let them be destroyed for a reward of their shame, Who have said to me, “Aha! aha!”

[¶16] 16 Let all those exult and rejoice in thee who seek thee; And let those say continually, “May Jehovah be magnified” — “Those who love thy salvation.

[¶17] 17 But as for me I am poor and needy. Jehovah hath regarded me; My help and my deliverer art thou: O thou, my God! delay not.