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Psalm 40:1

For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. I waited patiently for the LORD. He turned to me, and heard my cry.

1For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. I waited patiently for the LORD. He turned to me, and heard my cry.
2He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay. He set my feet on a rock, and gave me a firm place to stand.
3He has put a new song in my mouth, even praise to our God. Many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
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Psalm 40:2 →
Notice

David’s waiting includes a cry, leaving room for patience that hurts and for relief when YHWH turns toward the one who calls.

Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.

What do you notice about David describing both patient waiting and a cry in the same sentence?

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What unresolved request would you put into words before YHWH today?

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When, if ever, have you looked back on waiting and recognized that God heard your cry?

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Connect

Where else Scripture says this

12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.

This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Isaiah 40:31but those who wait for the LORD will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and not …Both passages name waiting for the LORD: David recounts being heard, while Isaiah promises renewed strength to those who wait.
Psalm 27:13–14I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.Psalm 27 expresses confidence in seeing the LORD’s goodness; Psalm 40 recounts his care in hearing David’s cry.
Psalm 37:7Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him. Don’t fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who makes wicked plots happen.Psalm 37 urges patient waiting for the LORD amid wrongdoing; David describes waiting for the same LORD and being heard.
James 5:7–11Be patient therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it, until it …Both passages speak of patient waiting, with David waiting for the LORD and James urging patience until the Lord’s coming.
Psalm 27:14Wait for the LORD. Be strong, and let your heart take courage. Yes, wait for the LORD.Psalm 27 urges readers to wait for the LORD with courage; David recounts his own waiting and the LORD’s response.
Psalm 116:2Because he has turned his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.Both psalms describe God turning toward someone who calls, and both testify that he hears.
Daniel 9:18My God, turn your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city which is called by your name; for we do not present our petitions before …Daniel asks God to turn his ear and hear; David recounts the LORD turning toward him and hearing his cry.
Isaiah 8:17I will wait for the LORD, who hides his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him.Both speakers wait for the LORD, though Isaiah speaks of God hiding his face and David recounts being heard.
Romans 12:12rejoicing in hope, enduring in troubles, continuing steadfastly in prayer,Romans joins endurance in trouble with continued prayer; David’s account likewise includes both waiting and a cry to the LORD.
James 1:4Let endurance have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.Both texts value endurance: David recounts waiting for the LORD, while James urges readers to let endurance do its work.
Hebrews 10:36For you need endurance so that, having done the will of God, you may receive the promise.Hebrews teaches the need for endurance before receiving the promise; David describes waiting before recounting the LORD’s response.
Genesis 49:18I have waited for your salvation, LORD.Both speakers address their waiting toward the LORD, with Genesis naming salvation and David describing a cry that God heard.
Where this verse fits

Waiting. answered prayer. wanting a steady prayer habit.

What the Bible says about patience →
One step

Something small to carry out of this verse

At bedtime, name one unresolved need before YHWH

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Encouragement

You do not have to make your prayer sound calm. David cried while he waited, and his testimony is that YHWH turned to him and heard.

Now put it in your words.

Start an entry on Psalm 40:1. Write what it stirs. Psalmlog sets your words beside Scripture and gives you one next step. Your first entry is free, no account needed.

Keep goingPsalm 40 · the whole chapter with its connection mapPsalms · every chapterBuild a reading plan through Psalms

Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).