Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
back to:
Psalms
Book: Psalms
Chapter: 40
Overview:
Confidence for deliverance.
(1-5) Christ's work of
Redemption.
(6-10) Prayer for
Mercy and
Grace.
(11-17)
1-5 Doubts and fears about the eternal state, are a horrible
Pit and miry
Clay, and have been
So to many a dear
Child of
God.
There is power enough in
God to help the weakest, and
Grace
enough to help the unworthiest of all that trust in him. The
psalmist waited patiently; he continued believing, hoping, and
praying. This is applicable to
Christ. His
Agony, in the garden
and
On the
Cross, was a horrible
Pit and miry
Clay. But those
that wait patiently for
God do not wait in vain. Those that have
been under religious melancholy, and
By the
Grace of
God have
been relieved, may apply ver. 2 very feelingly to themselves;
they are brought up out of a horrible
Pit.
Christ is the
Rock On
which a
Poor soul can alone stand
Fast. Where
God has given
stedfast
Hope, he expects there should be a steady, regular walk
and conduct.
God filled the psalmist with joy, as
Well as peace
in believing. Multitudes,
By Faith beholding the sufferings and
Glory of
Christ, have learned to fear the
Justice and trust in
the
Mercy of
God through Him. Many are the benefits with which
we are daily loaded, both
By the
Providence and
By the
Grace of
God.
6-10 The psalmist foretells that work of wonder,
Redemption By
our
Lord Jesus Christ. The Substance must come, which is
Christ,
who must bring that
Glory to
God, and that
Grace to
Man, which
it was impossible the sacrifices should ever do. Observe the
setting apart of our
Lord Jesus to the work and office of
Mediator. In the volume, or
Roll, of the
Book it was written of
him. In the close rolls of the Divine decrees and counsel, the
Covenant of
Redemption was recorded. Also, in all the volumes of
the Old
Testament something was written of him, Joh 19:28. Now
the purchase of our
Salvation is made, the proclamation is sent
forth,
Calling us to come and accept it. It was preached freely
and openly. Whoever undertook to preach the
Gospel of
Christ,
would be under great
Temptation to conceal it; but
Christ, and
those he calls to that work, are carried
On in it. May we
believe his
Testimony, trust his promise, and submit to his
authority.
11-17 The best saints see themselves undone, unless continually
preserved
By the
Grace of
God. But see the frightful view the
psalmist had of
Sin. This made the discovery of a
Redeemer So
welcome. In all his reflections upon each step of his
Life, he
discovered something amiss. The sight and sense of our sins in
their own colours, must distract us, if we have not at the same
time some sight of a
Saviour. If
Christ has triumphed over our
spiritual enemies, then we, through him, shall be more than
conquerors. This may encourage all that seek
God and
Love his
Salvation, to rejoice in him, and to praise him.
No griefs nor
poverty can render those miserable who fear the
Lord. Their
God,
and all that he has or does, is the ground of their joy. The
Prayer of
Faith can unlock his
Fulness, which is adapted to all
their wants. The promises are sure, the moment of fulfilment
hastens forward. He who once came in great
Humility, shall come
again in glorious majesty.