Psalm 40 17

Psalm 40:17 kjv

But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.

Psalm 40:17 nkjv

But I am poor and needy; Yet the LORD thinks upon me. You are my help and my deliverer; Do not delay, O my God.

Psalm 40:17 niv

But as for me, I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; you are my God, do not delay.

Psalm 40:17 esv

As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God!

Psalm 40:17 nlt

As for me, since I am poor and needy,
let the Lord keep me in his thoughts.
You are my helper and my savior.
O my God, do not delay.

Psalm 40 verses

Psalm 40 17 Meaning

Psalm 40:17 expresses the Psalmist's humble self-assessment as utterly dependent and afflicted, yet simultaneously proclaims his profound assurance that the Sovereign Lord actively considers and cares for him. Based on this confident trust, the verse concludes with an earnest and urgent plea for God, identified as his personal help and deliverer, to act swiftly on his behalf without delay. It is a heartfelt declaration of human vulnerability intertwined with steadfast divine reliance.

Psalm 40 17 Context

Psalm 40 is a "hybrid" psalm, combining elements of thanksgiving and lament. The first part (vv. 1-10) is a grateful remembrance of God's past deliverance and a declaration of commitment to Him, famously containing a Messianic prophecy regarding obedience over sacrifice (vv. 6-8). The latter part (vv. 11-17) shifts to a renewed lament and petition for current and future help amidst overwhelming troubles and hostile enemies. Verse 17 concludes this passionate plea, encapsulating the Psalmist's personal condition and his unwavering faith in God's immediate assistance. It acts as a climactic summation of the Psalmist's reliance on God in his time of dire need, setting him apart from his adversaries mentioned in the preceding verses (vv. 14-16). This verse is almost identical to the conclusion of Psalm 70, highlighting its profound significance and potential use in different contexts of urgent prayer. Historically, it reflects the experience of David (likely the author) or any righteous individual or community facing adversity while remaining devoted to YHWH.

Psalm 40 17 Word analysis

• But I: וַאֲנִי (va'ani). The conjunction "But" introduces a strong contrast. While the preceding verses (14-16) focus on God's just action against the enemies, this phrase abruptly shifts the focus to the Psalmist's personal condition and identity. It emphasizes his humble state in contrast to the might of the Lord, making his dependence explicit.
• am poor: עָנִי (aniy). This Hebrew term signifies more than just material poverty. It encompasses being afflicted, humble, lowly, and oppressed. In the biblical context, aniy often describes someone dependent on God, enduring hardship, or suffering unjustly. It can also denote a spiritual posture of meekness and recognition of one's need for God.
• and needy: וְאֶבְיוֹן (v'evyon). Paired with aniy, evyon intensifies the description of the Psalmist's destitute state. It refers to someone completely lacking and requiring charity, often suggesting a desperate condition. Together, aniy v'evyon portray not just a financial lack, but a deep spiritual and personal dependency on God's provision and intervention.
• yet the Lord: אֲדֹנָי (Adonai). This is a sovereign title for God, emphasizing His lordship and mastership. The juxtaposition of "I, poor and needy" with "Adonai" powerfully contrasts human fragility and destitution with God's majesty, power, and sufficiency, highlighting the vastness of God's condescension and care.
• thinks upon me: יַחֲשָׁב לִי (yachashav li). The verb חָשַׁב (chashav) means "to think, devise, reckon, plan, esteem." Here, "thinks upon me" implies God's active, intentional, and personal consideration and care. It's not mere awareness but a purposeful engagement of His mind regarding the Psalmist's condition. It signifies that the Sovereign God is deeply, intimately, and favorably concerned with His lowly servant.
• thou art my help: עֶזְרָתִי אַתָּה (ezrati atta). עֶזְרָה (ezrah) means "help, aid, succour." The declaration "You are my help" attributes God as the very essence and source of all assistance. It's a statement of faith and confidence in God's character as a present and personal aid. This is a common description of God throughout the Psalms.
• and my deliverer: וּמְפַלְּטִי (um'falleti). From פָלַט (palat), meaning "to escape, deliver, rescue." m'fallet indicates one who brings deliverance or enables escape. God is portrayed as the rescuer who extricates His people from danger, oppression, or a difficult situation, reinforcing His power to set free and grant safety.
• make no tarrying: אַל־תְּאַחַר (al t'ach'ar). This is an urgent negative imperative, meaning "do not delay," or "do not put off." It conveys the Psalmist's desperate plea for immediate divine intervention, reflecting the depth of his distress and the perceived urgency of his situation. It is a bold, passionate request rooted in trust.
• O my God: אֱלֹהָי (Elohai). The possessive suffix "my" personalizes the address to God. It underscores the Psalmist's covenant relationship and intimate trust in God. Even in the midst of a passionate and urgent plea for swift action, this address highlights the deep, personal, and abiding relationship between the Psalmist and his faithful God.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinks upon me": This forms a powerful two-part statement of self-humiliation balanced by divine affirmation. The initial lament of being "poor and needy" highlights the speaker's total reliance. This human vulnerability is immediately contrasted with God's active and loving attention. It underpins the subsequent prayer, as the very basis for the plea is God's known character of caring for the humble and afflicted. This phrase beautifully models humility before God while maintaining bold confidence in His personal involvement.
• "thou art my help and my deliverer": This is a profound declaration of theological truth and personal conviction, not merely a request. It firmly establishes God's unchanging nature as the sole and sufficient source of rescue. By first affirming who God is—the one who inherently helps and delivers—the Psalmist strengthens his faith and positions his urgent prayer within the bounds of God's character. This pairing of "help" and "deliverer" speaks to both ongoing support and specific rescue from peril.
• "make no tarrying, O my God": This is the direct, climactic petition. The passionate plea for immediacy ("make no tarrying") highlights the severe nature of the Psalmist's distress and his desperate need. Yet, this urgency is grounded in a deep, personal relationship, expressed through "O my God." It's not a demand from a distant deity, but a confident cry from a trusting child to an intimately known, covenant-keeping Father, who is implored to act swiftly out of His faithful character.

Psalm 40 17 Bonus section

• The nearly identical phrasing of Psalm 40:17 with Psalm 70:5 underscores a deeply ingrained, archetypal pattern of prayer and faith within ancient Israel. This repetition highlights that the specific form of humble self-identification ("poor and needy") coupled with urgent appeal to God as "help and deliverer" was a standard and profound expression for believers facing severe distress.
• The terms aniy and evyon (poor and needy) in the Psalms often denote a spiritual identity. They don't solely describe economic status but often refer to those who are pious, humble, dependent on God, and afflicted by the wicked or circumstances. This aligns with New Testament teachings on "poor in spirit" (Mt 5:3) or those chosen by God (Jas 2:5). The Psalmist's plea is not only for material assistance but for holistic divine intervention encompassing spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being.
• The Psalmist's urgency ("make no tarrying") should be understood not as a distrust of God's timing, but as a heartfelt expression of human distress and a passionate plea within a framework of absolute trust. Biblical prayers frequently contain such fervent petitions, reflecting genuine longing for God's active presence and rescue, demonstrating that faith is compatible with intensely expressed needs and desires.

Psalm 40 17 Commentary

Psalm 40:17 is a succinct yet profound encapsulation of the believer's cry in distress. It begins with an honest self-assessment of vulnerability and dependency ("poor and needy"), acknowledging utter reliance not on personal strength or external resources, but entirely on divine provision. Crucially, this humility is immediately met with a truth about God: "yet the Lord thinks upon me." This implies not mere cognitive awareness, but an active, benevolent, and purposeful engagement of God's mind towards the afflicted one. It’s an affirmation that the Sovereign God condescends to intimately care for the humble and needy.

This assurance then serves as the bedrock for the subsequent appeal. The Psalmist declares God's character as "my help and my deliverer," signifying His consistent role as provider and rescuer. This declaration strengthens the plea that follows, making it not a desperate wish against hope, but a prayer based on who God truly is. The concluding phrase, "make no tarrying, O my God," expresses intense urgency, reflecting the deep anguish and the desire for swift intervention. It is a bold, intimate appeal from a heart in distress, demonstrating that trusting prayer involves passionately bringing one's immediate needs before the God with whom there is a personal covenant relationship. This verse models reliance, humble recognition of need, profound faith in God's attentive care, and urgent, personal supplication.

Examples:

• Facing overwhelming personal trials: Pray "Lord, I am poor and needy in this situation, but You think upon me. You are my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God."
• In moments of deep financial hardship: Acknowledge spiritual need before asking for physical provision, trusting God remembers you.
• When oppressed or mistreated: Call upon God as your Deliverer, asking for swift vindication or rescue.