Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comKeil and Delitzsch Commentary - Psalms 40:10 - 40:10
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
The self-presentation before Jahve, introduced by אָז אָמַרְתִּי, extends from הנה to מֵעָי; consequently בִּשַּׂרְתִּי yltn joins on to אמרתי, and the אֶכְלָא which stands in the midst of perfects describes the synchronous past. The whole is a retrospect. בִּשֵּׂר, Arab. bššr (root בש), starting from its sensible primary signification to scrape off, scratch off, rub smooth, means: to smooth any one (glätten), Engl. to gladden one, i.e., vultum ejus diducere, to make him joyful and glad, more especially to cheer one by good news (e.g., basharahu or bashsharuhu bi̇maulûdin, bashsharuhu bi-maulûdin, he has cheered him by the intelligence of the birth of a son), in Hebrew directly equivalent to εὐαγγελίζειν (εὐαγγελίζεσθαι). He has proclaimed to all Israel the evangel of Jahve's justifying and gracious rule, which only changes into retribution towards those who despise His love; and he can appeal to the Omniscient One (Jer 15:15), that neither through fear of men, nor through shame and indolence, has he restrained his lips from confessing Him. God's conduct, in accordance with the prescribed order of redemption, is as a matter of fact called צֶדֶק, and as an attribute of His holy love, צְדָקָה; just as אֱמוּנָה is His faithfulness which fulfils the promises made and which does not suffer hope to be put to shame, and תְּשׁוּעָה is His salvation as it is manifested in facts. This rich matter for the preaching of the evangel, which may be comprehended in the two words חֶסֶד וֶֽעֱמֶת, the Alpha and Omega of God's self-attestation in the course of the redemptive history, he has not allowed to slumber as a dead, unfruitful knowledge hidden deep down in his heart. The new song which Jahve put into his mouth, he has also really sung. Thus far we have the first part of the song, which renders thanks for past mercies.