Psalm 40 9

Psalm 40:9 kjv

I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.

Psalm 40:9 nkjv

I have proclaimed the good news of righteousness In the great assembly; Indeed, I do not restrain my lips, O LORD, You Yourself know.

Psalm 40:9 niv

I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, LORD, as you know.

Psalm 40:9 esv

I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; behold, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O LORD.

Psalm 40:9 nlt

I have told all your people about your justice.
I have not been afraid to speak out,
as you, O LORD, well know.

Psalm 40 verses

Psalm 40 9 Meaning

Psalm 40:9 is a fervent declaration by the psalmist of his commitment to publicly proclaim God's righteousness and salvation. Having experienced divine deliverance, he expresses his unwavering resolve to openly share this good news within the gathered community, asserting that he will not withhold his message. This declaration is made with full knowledge that God Himself witnesses his sincerity and determination. It emphasizes a public, unreserved, and heartfelt witness to God's character and saving acts.

Psalm 40 9 Context

Psalm 40 begins with the psalmist recounting his fervent prayer and God's miraculous deliverance from a dire pit of despair (Ps 40:1-3). This experience transforms his sorrow into new song and leads to many witnessing God's faithfulness (Ps 40:3). Verses 6-8 shift focus to the inadequacy of mere ritual sacrifices compared to obedient devotion and the doing of God's will. Against this backdrop of personal salvation and the profound spiritual understanding of God's desire for obedience over ritual, verse 9 expresses the psalmist's response: an open and enthusiastic commitment to proclaim the "glad tidings of righteousness." This psalm is widely considered to have a significant messianic aspect, particularly in its central section (Ps 40:6-8), which is quoted in Hebrews 10:5-7 and applied directly to Christ. Therefore, Psalm 40:9 can also be understood as a foreshadowing of the Messiah's public proclamation of God's righteousness and salvation during His earthly ministry.

Psalm 40 9 Word analysis

• I have proclaimed/declared/told: Hebrew בָּשַׂר (basar). This verb primarily means "to bring good news" or "to declare joyful tidings." It is the root word from which בשורה (besorah, good news/gospel) is derived. The tense (Piel perfect) indicates a past action with ongoing results, reflecting a resolved commitment to this continuous act of proclamation.
• glad tidings of righteousness: Hebrew בִּשַּׂרְתִּי צֶדֶק (bissarti tsedeq). "Tsedeq" (צֶדֶק) encompasses righteousness, justice, faithfulness, and deliverance. It refers not only to God's inherent attribute of righteousness but also to His righteous acts of salvation, judgment, and upholding His covenant promises. Proclaiming "glad tidings of righteousness" means announcing the good news of how God acts justly to save, redeem, and set things right. It is a declaration of His saving activity according to His righteous character.
• in the great assembly: Hebrew בְּקָהָל רָב (beqahal rav). Qahal (קָהָל) denotes a convoked assembly, congregation, or community. It is the root of the Greek "ekklesia" (church). Rav (רָב) means "great" or "numerous." This phrase underscores that the proclamation is not private but public, communal, and widely witnessed. It emphasizes transparency and bold witness within the worshipping community of Israel.
• indeed/behold: This particle (הִנֵּה - hinneh, often translated "behold" or "indeed") emphasizes what follows, drawing attention to the psalmist's solemn resolve.
• I will not restrain my lips: Hebrew לֹא אֶכְלָא שְׂפָתָי (lo ekhla sefatai). Ekhla (אֶכְלָא) means to withhold, hold back, shut up, or stop. This phrase denotes an active refusal to be silent or ashamed. It signifies complete openness, boldness, and unreserved declaration, irrespective of opposition or personal discomfort. It is an unhesitating, unmuted voice.
• O LORD: Hebrew יְהוָה (YHWH, the personal covenant name of God). Addressing God by His covenant name signifies intimacy, trust, and acknowledgement of His supreme authority and faithfulness.
• You know: Hebrew אַתָּה יָדָעְתָּ (Atta yada'ta). Yada (יָדַע) means "to know" by experience and intimate acquaintance. This asserts that God is the ultimate witness to the psalmist's sincerity, heart, and commitment to public proclamation. It serves as an affirmation of truth, seeking divine corroboration of his unreserved intention.
• Words-group analysis:
  • "I have proclaimed glad tidings of righteousness": This phrase functions as a concise summary of the gospel message itself. It's about God's salvific acts stemming from His character, bringing hope and deliverance.
  • "in the great assembly; indeed, I will not restrain my lips": This demonstrates the context and nature of the proclamation – it's public, not secretive, and characterized by unreserved boldness and lack of shame, challenging any fear of human opinion.
  • "O LORD, You know": This phrase highlights the personal accountability and deep sincerity of the psalmist. He appeals to God's omniscient knowledge, validating his internal disposition alongside his outward action.

Psalm 40 9 Bonus section

The Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) translates "basar" as "evangelizomai" (to evangelize, preach the good news), clearly linking this Hebrew concept to the core New Testament mission. This emphasizes the continuous prophetic thread from the Old Testament declarations of God's saving righteousness to the New Testament's specific "good news" of Christ's salvation. The "great assembly" (Qahal Rav) can be seen as a precursor to the Church (Ekklesia), implying that the Church is the appointed place for the ongoing public proclamation of God's redemptive work. The verse provides a paradigm for faithful evangelism: personal experience of God's saving grace leading to an unreserved, public, and God-acknowledged proclamation of His saving righteousness.

Psalm 40 9 Commentary

Psalm 40:9 is a foundational verse expressing a resolved commitment to public testimony arising from a deep encounter with God's salvation. The psalmist, having experienced profound deliverance (as outlined earlier in the chapter), understands that true worship is not merely ritualistic but involves a vibrant, public declaration of God's character and saving acts. The term "glad tidings of righteousness" is highly significant; it anticipates the New Testament concept of the Gospel, portraying God's saving power as inherent to His righteous nature. This righteousness is not just a standard but an active force of deliverance. The public nature "in the great assembly" signifies that faith is not a private matter but a communal truth to be shared. The resolve "I will not restrain my lips" emphasizes boldness and freedom from fear or shame, underscoring the spiritual necessity of vocal praise and witness. The psalmist appeals to God's knowledge as the ultimate validator of his sincerity, showing that this public vow flows from a true heart. This verse therefore stands as a timeless call for believers to declare God's redemptive truth openly and sincerely, knowing He hears and approves.