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Epiphany Season · Second Sunday in Ordinary Time · Year B

Psalm 40:2+4, 7-8a, 8b-9, 10 (8a, 9a)

He Drew Me Up from the Pit

January 17, 2027

King David in Prayer, Jean Bourdichon
King David in Prayer, Jean Bourdichon, c. 1480-1490J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles
A manuscript miniature: David in a gold tunic and crown kneels in a walled courtyard with his hands raised, looking up to God, who looks down from a blue circle of sky.I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. Then I said, Here I am; I delight to do your will, O my God.Jean BourdichonCourt painter to four kings of France, who worked in Tours and painted books of hours for the royal household.J. Paul Getty Museum, Los AngelesThe J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, whose manuscript collection is among the finest in the United States.J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles
Roman Lectionary
GospelJohn 1:35-42Jn 1:35-42
Second Reading1 Cor. 6:13c-15a, 17-201 Cor 6:13c-15a, 17-20
First Reading1 Sam. 3:3b-10, 191 Sm 3:3b-10, 19
Responsorial PsalmPs. 40:2+4, 7-8a, 8b-9, 10 (8a, 9a)Ps 40:2+4, 7-8a, 8b-9, 10 (8a, 9a)

Overview & Insights

“I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry.” (Psalm 40:1)

Psalm 40 is an individual psalm of thanksgiving, which is typically composed of the report of a crisis (40:12) and the celebration of deliverance (40:1–3), and these elements do not necessarily occur in that order.1Some commentators insist that this psalm is a combination of two independent psalms, an individual psalm of thanksgiving (40:1–10) and an individual lament (40:11–17). In reality, however, thanksgiving and lament naturally belong to the individual psalm of thanksgiving, since the suppliant as a matter of course rehearses the crisis (lament) from which he has been delivered.2 As for the usual order of lament followed by thanksgiving, Psalms 9–10 pose a similar challenge to this order and show that the order is not sacrosanct.3 A thematic editorial principle definitely plays a role in the order of the Psalms.

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Take it further: Psalm 40:2+4, 7-8a, 8b-9, 10 (8a, 9a)

Commentary

Enduring Word Bible Commentary Psalm 40Enduring Word Bible Commentary Ps 40 Enduring Word · David Guzik

Verse by verse commentary on waiting on the Lord and Here I am, I have come to do your will.

Psalm 40:1 CommentariesPs 40:1 Commentaries BibleHub

Aggregated classic commentaries on the psalm of thanksgiving and obedience.

Background & Word Study

Psalms 40 (Hebrew and English)Ps 40 (Hebrew and English) Sefaria

The Hebrew text of Psalm 40 with English for the responsorial verses.

Book of Psalms Summary (BibleProject Video)Book of Ps Summary (BibleProject Video) BibleProject

Animated overview of the design and themes of the Psalter for reading Psalm 40 in context.

The Church Fathers

Psalm 40 Commentary (Catena Bible)Ps 40 Commentary (Catena Bible) Catena

Patristic comments read verse 7-8 (I have come to do your will) as the voice of Christ.

Questions preachers ask

What does Psalm 40 give thanks for?

God drew the psalmist up from the pit and set his feet on a rock, putting a new song in his mouth; in response he delights to do God's will and proclaims his faithfulness.

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