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Psalms 40:4

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 40:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Blessed is the man that maketh Jehovah his trust, And respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Blessed is the man that maketh Jehovah his trust, And respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
Psalms 40:4 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 40

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1I waited patiently for Jehovah; And he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
2He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay; And he set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
3And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: Many shall see it, and fear, And shall trust in Jehovah.
4Blessed is the man that maketh Jehovah his trust, And respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
5Many, O Jehovah my God, are the wonderful works which thou hast done, And thy thoughts which are to us-ward; They cannot be set in order unto thee; If I would declare and speak of them, They are more than can be numbered.
6Sacrifice and offering thou hast no delight in; Mine ears hast thou opened: Burnt-offering and sin-offering hast thou not required.
7Then said I, Lo, I am come; In the roll of the book it is written of me:
← Psalms 40:3Psalms 40:5 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Blessed is the man that maketh the Lord his trust, etc.] For such are safe and secure in him, are possessed of all blessings of grace through him, have peace in their own souls now, and shall enjoy eternal happiness with him hereafter; and respecteth not the proud; such as the Pharisees, and all self-righteous persons, who trust in themselves and their own righteousness, submit not to the righteousness of Christ, and despise others; to these such who trust in Christ have no respect; they neither esteem them, nor imitate them; nor such as turn aside to lies; to idols, the lying vanities of the Gentiles; or to any doctrines injurious to the person, office, blood, righteousness, sacrifice, and…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Blessed-- (Psa 1:1; Psa 2:12). respecteth--literally, "turns towards," as an object of confidence. turn aside--from true God and His law to falsehood in worship and conduct.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust - See the notes at Psalms 34:8. Compare Psalms 27:1. Literally, here, “The blessings of the man who places Yahweh for his confidence;” that is, who makes Him his seeurity, or who feels that his security for happiness and salvation is in Him. And respecteth not the proud - The haughty, or those who are confident in themselves. Literally, “who looks not to the proud;” that is, who does not depend on them for help and for salvation. Nor such as turn aside to lies - Who depart from the straight path, and incline to that which is false and deceitful. The reference is to those who are easily made to swerve from that which is true and honest to…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“The proud - Or, the mighty, the great and proud potentates of the world, to whom most men are apt to look and trust. Turn - From God, in whom alone they ought to trust. To lies - To lying vanities, such as worldly power and wisdom, and riches, and all other earthly things, or persons, in which men are prone to trust: which are called lies, because they promise more than they perform. Psalms 40:5”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Blessed: Psa 2:12, Psa 34:8, Psa 84:11, Psa 84:12, Psa 118:8, Psa 118:9; Jer 17:7, Jer 17:8; Rom 15:12, Rom 15:13 respecteth: Psa 15:4, Psa 101:3-7, Psa 119:21 as turn: Psa 125:5; Isa 44:18-20; Jer 10:14, Jer 10:15; Jon 2:8; Th2 2:9-11 Psalms 40:5”
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Related study paths

Read Psalms 40 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification