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Psalm 40

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Psalm 40

Psalm 40 is the 40th psalm from the Book of Psalms.

Contents

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)" While some see in it the prophetic of Jesus or messiah generally.

John Westley saw it as a prayer 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.

Judaism

  • Verse 2 is found in the repetition of the Amidah during Rosh Hashanah.
  • Verse 12 is the second verse from V'hu Rachum in Pesukei Dezimra, and the long Tachanun recited on Mondays and Thursdays.

    • 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

    Psalm 40 Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA