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Epiphany Season · Second Sunday after the Epiphany · Year A

Psalm 40:1-11

I Waited Patiently for the Lord

January 18, 2026

King David and his Musicians (Psalter of Charles the Bald), Court school of Charles the Bald
King David and his Musicians (Psalter of Charles the Bald), Court school of Charles the Bald, about 869Bibliothèque nationale de France, Paris
David, crowned and holding his harp, dances among four musicians with cymbals, horn and stringed instruments, inside a jewelled border.I waited patiently for the Lord … He drew me up from the desolate pit … He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God … I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation.Court school of Charles the BaldIlluminators of the court of Charles the Bald, grandson of Charlemagne.Bibliothèque nationale de France, ParisThe Bibliothèque nationale de France, Paris.Bibliothèque nationale de France, Paris
Revised Common Lectionary
GospelJohn 1:29-42Jn 1:29-42
Epistle1 Cor. 1:1-91 Cor 1:1-9
Old TestamentIsa. 49:1-7Is 49:1-7
PsalterPs. 40:1-11Ps 40:1-11

Overview & Insights

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

The psalmist recalls being lifted out of a desperate pit and responds with a new song of public testimony. The psalm moves from thanksgiving for past rescue into a fresh plea for help.

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Commentary

Psalm 40 CommentaryPs 40 Commentary Enduring Word

David Guzik's verse-by-verse notes on the psalm's movement from rescue to renewed need.

Psalm 40:1 CommentariesPs 40:1 Commentaries BibleHub

Aggregates several classic commentaries on the psalmist's patient waiting.

Psalm 40 - Gill's Exposition of the Whole BiblePs 40 - Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible StudyLight

John Gill's older exposition, including the psalm's messianic reading.

Background & Word Study

Psalm 40:1 InterlinearPs 40:1 Interlinear BibleHub

Hebrew text and parsing for the psalm's opening verse.

Psalm 40 - Catena BiblePs 40 - Catena Bible Catena

Patristic commentary from the early church fathers on the psalm.

The Church Fathers

Psalm 40Ps 40 Catena

Verse-by-verse comment from the Fathers on Psalm 40.

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