Psalm 40 16

Psalm 40:16 kjv

Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.

Psalm 40:16 nkjv

Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; Let such as love Your salvation say continually, "The LORD be magnified!"

Psalm 40:16 niv

But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, "The LORD is great!"

Psalm 40:16 esv

But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, "Great is the LORD!"

Psalm 40:16 nlt

But may all who search for you
be filled with joy and gladness in you.
May those who love your salvation
repeatedly shout, "The LORD is great!"

Psalm 40 verses

Psalm 40 16 Meaning

Psalm 40:16 expresses a fervent desire for two groups of God's people: those who "seek Him" and those who "love His salvation." It requests that the former experience deep joy and gladness found in God Himself, recognizing Him as the ultimate source of their delight. For the latter, it is a prayer that they continuously declare the greatness of the Lord, exalting His name for His powerful deliverance. The verse shifts from the psalmist's personal struggles to a broader longing for the communal exaltation of God.

Psalm 40 16 Context

Psalm 40 is a "mixed" psalm, beginning with the psalmist’s testimony of God's faithfulness in delivering him from a dire situation (vv. 1-10). David recounts waiting patiently for the Lord, who heard his cry, lifted him out of a "horrible pit," and set his feet upon a rock (vv. 1-3). He vows to declare God’s righteousness and salvation to the great congregation (vv. 9-10), emphasizing God’s wondrous works and steadfast love.

However, the tone shifts sharply from thanksgiving to lament and petition starting around verse 11. The psalmist expresses his current distress, overwhelmed by "innumerable evils," his sins having overtaken him, and he feels abandoned (vv. 11-13). He then turns to imprecation against his enemies, wishing for their shame and confusion (vv. 14-15), which mirrors the language in Psalm 70. Verse 16, which is identical to Psalm 70:4, forms a stark contrast to these wishes against enemies. Instead of focusing on the defeat of his foes, David turns his heart to those who are faithful to God, praying for their joy and the perpetual exaltation of the Lord. It signifies a transition from personal affliction to a prayer for the flourishing of the righteous community. Historically, it reflects the life of David, facing both past deliverance and current adversaries, maintaining a heart focused on God and His people.

Psalm 40 16 Word analysis

• But (וְ / wᵉ): This conjunctive particle often means "and," but here it serves adversatively, introducing a strong contrast to the preceding imprecations against enemies (vv. 14-15). It shifts the focus from cursing the wicked to blessing the righteous.

• let all those that seek thee (כָּל־מְבַקְשֶׁיךָ / kāl-məvaqšeḵā):

  • seek thee: məvaqšeḵā (from the root bāqash): Not merely a casual search, but an earnest, diligent, and purposeful pursuit of God. It implies longing for His presence, His will, His guidance, and His favor. It encompasses devotion and prayer.

• rejoice and be glad (יָשִׂישׂוּ וְיִשְׂמְחוּ / yaśiśu wəyiśməḥu):

  • yaśiśu (from śîś): To exult, show joy, burst forth with joy. Often denotes outward expression of delight.
  • wəyiśməḥu (from śāmēaḥ): To be joyful, cheerful, glad. Expresses a deeper, internal happiness and contentment.
  • These two verbs often appear together, forming a comprehensive picture of complete, overflowing joy and gladness. They are in the jussive mood, expressing a desire or prayer.

• in thee (בְךָ / vəḵā): The preposition be (in/with) indicates that God Himself is the object, source, and sphere of their joy. Their happiness is not contingent on circumstances, possessions, or worldly successes, but found solely in their relationship with the Lord.

• let such as love thy salvation (וְיֹאמְרוּ תָמִיד יִגְדַּל יְהוָה / wəyoʼməru tāmîḏ yiḡdal Yahweh):

  • love thy salvation: ʼōhăvē yĕšūʿāṯeḵā (from ʼāhēv and yĕšūʿāh).
    • ʼāhēv: To love, show affection, be fond of. Implies a deep, covenantal devotion.
    • yĕšūʿāh: Salvation, deliverance, help, victory. It's comprehensive, referring not just to physical rescue but also spiritual well-being, wholeness, and the redemptive acts of God. It can also imply the eschatological salvation God brings.

• say continually (יֹאמְרוּ תָמִיד / yoʼməru tāmîḏ):

  • yoʼməru (from ʼāmar): To say, speak, declare. Here, in jussive, it's a prayer for public and vocal proclamation.
  • tāmîḏ: Continually, perpetually, always, constantly. It indicates an uninterrupted and enduring declaration, suggesting praise as a lifestyle.

• The Lord be magnified (יִגְדַּל יְהוָה / yiḡdal Yahweh):

  • yiḡdal (from the root gādal): To be great, grow great, become powerful, magnified. In the jussive, it is a prayerful command or desire: "Let Yahweh be acknowledged as great," "May Yahweh show Himself great." It's not making God bigger (He already is infinite), but declaring, exalting, and recognizing His immense greatness and sovereign power, especially in the context of His saving acts. It is an act of praise and worship.
  • YHWH (יְהוָה): The sacred covenant name of God, revealing His personal, self-existent, and faithful nature. Using this name highlights the deep relational aspect of the magnification.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "But let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee:" This phrase sets apart the faithful from the unrighteous, defining them by their active pursuit of God. Their joy is specified as originating "in God," highlighting His character and presence as the ultimate source of contentment and blessedness, regardless of external circumstances. It reflects a theology where God Himself is the greatest good.

• "let such as love thy salvation say continually, The Lord be magnified." This expands the focus from seeking God's presence to loving His active work of salvation. This love manifests in a public, constant proclamation that God is great. It implies that understanding and cherishing God’s redemptive power naturally leads to vocal and sustained praise, underscoring that His deliverance is meant to bring Him glory. This collective acclamation strengthens the community's faith and testifies to God's unchanging nature.

Psalm 40 16 Bonus Section

The "seek thee" in this verse, məvaqšeḵā, is often associated in Hebrew thought with the diligent pursuit of God's face or presence (Psa 27:8, Amos 5:4). It denotes active worship and obedient living, rather than a passive longing. The dual verbs for joy, śîś and śāmēaḥ, beautifully capture the dynamic spectrum of human delight that should find its source and completion in God. The "continual" (תָמִיד / tāmîḏ) aspect emphasizes that praise is not an occasional act, but a constant posture and expression for those who truly love God's salvation. This continuous praise reflects the very purpose of redemption, which is to bring glory to the redeemer. The prayer for God to "be magnified" is a Jussive of effect – a desire that His glory would be more widely revealed and acknowledged, often as a result of His powerful intervention (Ex 14:17, 1 Chron 29:11). This verse is a prophetic hope, a prayer for the establishment of God's kingdom values where His faithful ones abound in joy and praise Him perpetually.

Psalm 40 16 Commentary

Psalm 40:16 acts as a doxological plea amidst the psalmist's personal travails. Following David's personal thanksgiving and subsequent petition against his enemies, this verse turns attention to the broader community of faith. It delineates the character of God's true followers – those who actively seek Him in relationship and who love His saving work. For such people, the psalmist expresses a fervent desire: that their lives would be marked by overflowing joy in God Himself, a joy independent of earthly circumstances. Furthermore, it's a prayer that those who cherish God’s deliverance would make His greatness known continuously. This isn't merely a private sentiment but a public and enduring declaration: "The Lord be magnified!" It signifies that God's acts of salvation are not ends in themselves, but means to His greater glory. The repetition in Psalm 70:4 underlines its significance as a standard prayer for the righteous community, a clear articulation of their proper posture: active pursuit of God leading to intrinsic joy, and profound appreciation for His salvation culminating in unending magnification of His name.

• Practical Examples:
  • A believer finding peace and joy in prayer and study of God's Word, even when facing significant worldly troubles.
  • A church congregation, having experienced a challenging period, uniting in worship services to proclaim God’s faithfulness and greatness.
  • An individual who has been saved from addiction or despair giving public testimony of God's redemptive power, praising Him consistently.