Psalm 40 8

Psalm 40:8 kjv

I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.

Psalm 40:8 nkjv

I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is within my heart."

Psalm 40:8 niv

I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart."

Psalm 40:8 esv

I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart."

Psalm 40:8 nlt

I take joy in doing your will, my God,
for your instructions are written on my heart."

Psalm 40 verses

Psalm 40 8 Meaning

Psalm 40:8 expresses a profound, inner desire and delight in obeying God's specific instruction and divine purposes. It reveals a personal, intimate relationship with the Creator, where His will is not seen as an external burden, but as an internalized truth woven into the very fabric of one's being. This verse speaks of joy derived from aligning one's actions with the loving decrees of God, transcending mere ritual or external conformity to law, emphasizing a transformed heart.

Psalm 40 8 Context

Psalm 40 is a Davidic psalm that beautifully interweaves themes of divine deliverance, covenant faithfulness, and the supremacy of heartfelt obedience over mere ritualistic sacrifice. Verses 1-5 recount the Psalmist's plea and God's miraculous intervention, leading to an outpouring of praise. Verses 6-8 mark a pivotal shift, declaring God's preference for a spirit of willing obedience over animal offerings. This transition serves as the immediate context for verse 8, suggesting that true worship and gratitude manifest as delight in fulfilling God's will. The psalm as a whole ultimately has strong Messianic undertones, finding its perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ's incarnation and sacrifice, as highlighted in Hebrews chapter 10. Historically, this contrasts with surrounding pagan cultures which often emphasized outward sacrifices without a true change of heart, and even within Israel, it challenged any tendency towards dead formalism.

Psalm 40 8 Word analysis

• I delight (חפצתי - ḥāp̄aṣtî): From the Hebrew root ḥāp̄ēṣ (חפץ), meaning "to desire, delight in, take pleasure in, be pleased with." It denotes a deep, intrinsic joy and volitional preference, signifying much more than simple intellectual assent or grudging compliance. It highlights a glad inclination of the soul.
• to do (לעשות - la‘ăśōṯ): The infinitive construct form, emphasizing the active, executive aspect of bringing something into being. It indicates actual performance, not just contemplation.
• Your will (רצונך - rəṣônkā): From râṣôn (רצון), meaning "will, pleasure, favor, delight, good pleasure." It speaks to God's ultimate desire, His divine purpose and benevolent intention. It's about aligning oneself with what genuinely pleases God, not merely following an arbitrary command.
• O my God (אלהי - ʾĕlōhay): A deeply personal and possessive form of address. Elohim (אלהים), the general term for God, combined with the first-person singular suffix, emphasizes an intimate covenant relationship between the Psalmist and the Almighty. It signifies personal devotion and ownership in faith.
• Your law (תורתך - tôrāṯkā): From tôrāh (תורה), which comprehensively means "instruction, teaching, law." Beyond mere legal codes, Torah embodies God's entire divine revelation, His wisdom, guidance, and truth for living. It points to God's authoritative, life-giving word.
• is within (בתוך - bəṯōḵ): Literally "in the midst of" or "inside." This preposition conveys deep internalization, not external placement. It implies that God's law has permeated the inner being, taking root in the core of one's identity.
• my heart (מעי / לבבי - mēʿay / ləḇāḇî): The Masoretic Text (MT) uses mei (מעי), "my inward parts" or "my bowels," which in ancient Hebrew understanding referred to the deepest seat of emotions, affections, intellect, and conscience. It signifies the core of a person's being. While some ancient versions or manuscripts might use levav (לבב), "heart," both terms emphasize that God's law is profoundly etched into the individual's spiritual and emotional center, guiding internal motivations rather than just outward actions.
• "I delight to do Your will, O my God;": This phrase encapsulates a cheerful obedience born from a loving relationship. It elevates God's will above one's own desires and implies finding joy and fulfillment in conforming to His character and commands.
• "Your law is within my heart.": This segment describes the result of true devotion: the divine instruction is not an external imposition but an internalized guide. It's deeply inscribed in one's core being, directing thoughts, emotions, and decisions from the inside out, pointing toward the transformation promised in the New Covenant.

Psalm 40 8 Bonus section

The profound link between Psalm 40:8 and the preceding verse (Ps 40:7), "Then I said, 'Behold, I come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me'," cannot be overstated. When this section is applied to Christ in Hebrews 10:5-7, it highlights that His advent, life, and mission were predetermined and eternally decreed in "the scroll of the book" – pointing to the eternal counsels of God or prophetic scriptures. This implies that His "delight to do Your will" was not a spontaneous decision, but the willing fulfillment of His very purpose for incarnation. For humanity, this suggests that finding and delighting in God's will aligns us with the grand, eternal narrative and purpose set forth by the Creator. The emphasis on "within my heart" anticipates the New Covenant, where the law is not written on stone tablets, but by the Holy Spirit upon the fleshly tablets of the heart, enabling believers to live out this delighted obedience (Ezek 36:26-27).

Psalm 40 8 Commentary

Psalm 40:8 is a powerful declaration that articulates the very essence of genuine faith and worship. It presents a divine counter-proposal to the insufficiency of ritual sacrifices, declaring that God desires heartfelt obedience, a delight in His will, and the internalization of His law more than external offerings. This verse acts as a bridge, transitioning from a performance-based relationship with God to one founded on an intimate, willing communion.

Its ultimate meaning and significance are perfectly embodied in Jesus Christ, who quotes these verses through the author of Hebrews. He lived a life of absolute joy and obedience in doing the Father's will, not simply as a duty, but as His ultimate delight, making His own life the perfect sacrifice that external animal offerings could never fully achieve. For the believer, Psalm 40:8 sets the pattern: to find profound joy in God's will and to allow His instruction to permeate the innermost parts of one's being. It encourages an active pursuit of God's revealed will, not through a spirit of legalism, but through a joyous yielding of one's life to His perfect plan.

Practical Examples:

• A Christian finding joy in tithing not out of obligation but from a heart grateful to God.
• Serving others with enthusiasm because it aligns with Christ's example and God's loving command.
• Dedicating consistent time to prayer and Bible study because of an inner delight in connecting with God and knowing His truth, not just fulfilling a religious discipline.