Psalm 40
Psalm 40 is the 40th psalm from the Book of Psalms.[1][2][3][4][5]
Interpretation
Matthew Henry calls the psalm a "Confidence for deliverance. (1-5) Christ's work of redemption. (6-10) and a Prayer for mercy and grace. (11-17)"[6] While some see in it the prophetic[7] of Jesus[8][9] or messiah generally.[10]
John Westley saw it as a prayer[11] of salvation.
Structure
The first part of the Psalm (verses 1-11) is one in the series of psalms of thanksgiving of an individual.
Verses 13-18 set originally possibly an independent Psalm context, because it is virtually identical to Psalm 70. This part belongs more in the group of psalms of lament.
Uses
Judaism
- Verse 2 is found in the repetition of the Amidah during Rosh Hashanah.[12]
- Verse 12 is the second verse from V'hu Rachum in Pesukei Dezimra,[13] and the long Tachanun recited on Mondays and Thursdays.[14]
Music
The Psalm was used in the song 40, also known as "How Long", the final track from U2's 1983 album, War.
A song by The Mountain Goats titled "Psalm 40:2" appears on their 2009 album The Life of the World to Come, inspired by the same verse.
References
- ↑ Commentaires sur les psaumes, d’Hilaire de Poitiers, (Paris, Éditions du Cerf, 2008), collection sources chrétiennes n°515,
- ↑ Commentaires of the Psalmes, by saint Johnn Chrysostome
- ↑ Discourse of the Psalmes, by Saint Augustin, vol.2,(Sagesses chrétiennes)
- ↑ Commentairy (jusqu’au psaume 54), by saint Thomas Aquinas, (Éditions du Cerf, 1273)
- ↑ Jean Calvin, Commentaire des psalmes, 1557
- ↑ Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary.
- ↑ Psalms 40:6-9.
- ↑ PSALM 40 overview.
- ↑ Charles Spurgeon,Treasury of David.
- ↑ Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible.
- ↑ John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes.
- ↑ The Complete Artscroll Machzor for Rosh Hashanah page 353
- ↑ The Complete Artscroll Siddur page 62
- ↑ The Complete Artscroll Siddur page 125