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The Bible · 518 of 1189

Psalms 40

1.I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

2.He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.

3.And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.

4.Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

5.Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.

6.Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.

7.Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,

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

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

10.I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.

11.Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.

12.For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me.

13.Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me.

14.Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.

15.Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha.

16.Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.

17.But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.

Asked of Guide

Why does the psalmist say God didn't desire sacrifice but opened his ears (verses 6–8)?

The psalmist insists God values obedience and inward dedication over ritual offerings: “mine ears hast thou opened” and “I delight to do thy will.” He treats the written word as destiny—“in the volume of the book it is written of me”—and responds with practical faith, preaching righteousness and declaring God’s salvation to the congregation.

This chapter echoes Hosea 6:6, where God prefers “mercy rather than sacrifice,” and Jesus quotes that Hosea line in Matthew 9:13 and 12:7 to teach the same point. The psalm links personal repentance and active obedience to God’s work in deliverance, so worship becomes visible action rather than only ritual observance.

Guide is the guide inside the Gnosis app, where every book on these shelves is free to read. Guide is the part you pay for — your guide has read all of them, and answers about the passage you’re actually on. Ask your guide your own question.