Psalms 40 in the early church
141 passages quote, allude to, or echo Psalms 40, grouped by verse; passages on the same verse are in date order. Verse text from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). References use the Protestant English Bible's numbering, with a writer's own numbering in brackets where it differs.
Verses: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9 · 10 · 12 · 13 · 14 · 15 · 16 · 17
Psalms 40:1
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; He inclined to me and heard my cry.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ps 40:1 (39:2 LXX) | Martyrdom of Conon 6 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | ca. 250 |
| Ps 40:1 (39:2 LXX) | Cib. 3 · Methodius of Olympus | quotation, high confidence | late 3rd cent. (disputed) |
| Ps 40:1 (39:2 LXX) | Cib. 5 · Methodius of Olympus | quotation, high confidence | late 3rd cent. (disputed) |
| Ps 40:1–3 (39:2-Ps LXX) | Demonstration of the Gospel 1.10.26 · Eusebius of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 314–324 |
| Ps 40:1 (39:1 LXX) | Letter to Marcellinus 18 · Athanasius of Alexandria | allusion, high confidence | uncertain, after 335 |
| Ps 40:1 (39:2 LXX) | Defence of His Flight 21 · Athanasius of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 357 |
| Ps 40:1–17 (39:1-Ps LXX) | Psalm 39 · Apollinaris of Laodicea | quotation, high confidence | uncertain (fourth to sixth century) |
| Ps 40:1 (39:2 LXX) | Exposition of Psalm 118 1.15.1 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386-397 |
| Ps 40:1 (39:2 LXX) | Exposition of Psalm 118 8.13.1 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386-397 |
| Ps 40:1 (39:2 LXX) | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 36.20.3 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
| Ps 40:1 (39:2 LXX) | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 38.28.1 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
| Ps 40:1 (39:2 LXX) | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 39.2.1 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
| Ps 40:1 (39:2 LXX) | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 45.15.2 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
| Ps 40:1 (39:2 LXX) | The Conferences 12.6 · John Cassian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 426–429 |
| Ps 40:1 (39:2 LXX) | The Conferences 13.12 · John Cassian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 426–429 |
Psalms 40:2
He lifted me up from the pit of despair, out of the miry clay; He set my feet upon a rock, and made my footsteps firm.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ps 40:2 (39:3 LXX) | PG 12:1265 (Ps 22–23 LXX) · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Ps 40:2 (39:3 LXX) | PG 12:1405 (Ps 39 LXX) · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Ps 40:2 (39:3 LXX) | Homilies on Exodus 3.3 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410) |
| Ps 40:2 (39:3 LXX) | Homilies on Ezekiel 2.4 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Jerome's translation in the 380s) |
| Ps 40:2 (39:3 LXX) | Homilies on Psalms 36-38 7.4 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410) |
| Ps 40:2 (39:3 LXX) | Homilies on Jeremiah 16.2 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 240 |
| Ps 40:2 (39:3 LXX) | Commentary on the Song of Songs 3.231 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 240–245 (Rufinus's translation ca. 410) |
| Ps 40:2 (39:3 LXX) | Commentary on Matthew 16.4 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 246–248 |
| Ps 40:2 (39:3 Vulg.) | Tractates on the Psalms 133.2 · Hilary of Poitiers | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–367 |
| Ps 40:2 (39:3 LXX) | Oration 2.40 · Gregory of Nazianzus | allusion, high confidence | ca. 362–383 |
| Ps 40:2 (39:3 LXX) | Oration 45.16 · Gregory of Nazianzus | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 362–383 |
| Ps 40:2 (39:3 LXX) | Letter 122.4 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| Ps 40:2 (39:3 LXX) | Letter 130.8 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| Ps 40:2 (39:3 LXX) | Letter 147.9 · Jerome | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| Ps 40:2 (39:3 LXX) | On the Life of Moses 405 · Gregory of Nyssa | allusion, high confidence | ca. 385–395 |
| Ps 40:2 (39:3 LXX) | On the Duties of the Clergy 1.5 · Ambrose | echo, low confidence | ca. 386–390 |
| Ps 40:2 (39:3 LXX) | Exposition of Psalm 118 1.15.1 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386-397 |
| Ps 40:2 (39:3 LXX) | Letter 25.4 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, high confidence | ca. 386–430 |
| Ps 40:2 (39:3 LXX) | Letter 194.3 · Augustine of Hippo | echo, low confidence | ca. 386–430 |
| Ps 40:2 (39:3 LXX) | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 39.2.1 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
| Ps 40:2 (39:3 LXX) | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 39.2.2 · Ambrose | allusion, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
| Ps 40:2 (39:3 LXX) | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 39.2.3 · Ambrose | allusion, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
| Ps 40:2 (39:3 LXX) | Homily 11 · Gregory of Nyssa | quotation, high confidence | ca. 390–394 |
| Ps 40:2–3 (39:3-Ps LXX) | Sermon 33.5 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| Ps 40:2 (39:3 Vulg.) | Poem 24, lines 161–190 · Paulinus of Nola | echo, low confidence | ca. 393–431 |
| Ps 40:2 (39:3 Vulg.) | Letters 4.4 · Paulinus of Nola | allusion, high confidence | ca. 394–413 |
| Ps 40:2 (39:3 Vulg.) | Letters 23.9 · Paulinus of Nola | quotation, high confidence | ca. 394–413 |
| Ps 40:2 (39:3 Vulg.) | Letters 24.1 · Paulinus of Nola | echo, medium confidence | ca. 394–413 |
| Ps 40:2 (39:3 Vulg.) | Letters 40.5 · Paulinus of Nola | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 394–413 |
| Ps 40:2 (39:3 Vulg.) | Confessions 6.26 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 397–401 |
| Ps 40:2 (39:3 LXX) | City of God 18.32 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | 413–426 |
| Ps 40:2 (39:3 LXX) | City of God 18.35 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | 413–426 |
| Ps 40:2–3 (39:3-Ps LXX) | Against Two Letters of the Pelagians 3.6 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 420–421 |
| Ps 40:2 (39:3 LXX) | The Conferences 3.12 · John Cassian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 426–429 |
| Ps 40:2 (39:3 LXX) | The Conferences 12.6 · John Cassian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 426–429 |
Psalms 40:3
He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ps 40:3 (39:4 LXX) | PG 12:1405 (Ps 39 LXX) · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Ps 40:3 (39:4 LXX) | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 39.3.1 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
| Ps 40:3 (39:4 Vulg.) | Letters 23.9 · Paulinus of Nola | quotation, high confidence | ca. 394–413 |
| Ps 40:3 (39:4 LXX) | City of God 18.32 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | 413–426 |
Psalms 40:4
Blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust, who has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ps 40:4 (39:5 LXX) | On the Duties of the Clergy 1.49 · Ambrose | allusion, high confidence | ca. 386–390 |
| Ps 40:4 (39:5 LXX) | Exposition of Psalm 118 5.33.2 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386-397 |
| Ps 40:4 (39:5 Vulg.) | Letter 155.6 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386–430 |
| Ps 40:4 (39:5 Vulg.) | Letter 155.8 · Augustine of Hippo | echo, medium confidence | ca. 386–430 |
| Ps 40:4 (39:5 Vulg.) | On Fleeing the World 4 · Ambrose | allusion, high confidence | ca. 387-391 |
| Ps 40:4 (39:5 LXX) | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 39.4.1 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
| Ps 40:4 (39:5 Vulg.) | Sermon 47.29 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, low confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| Ps 40:4 (39:5 Vulg.) | Sermon 156.7 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| Ps 40:4 (39:5 Vulg.) | Confessions 8.4 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 397–401 |
| Ps 40:4 (39:5 Vulg.) | Confessions 9.2 · Augustine of Hippo | echo, low confidence | ca. 397–401 |
| Ps 40:4 (39:5 LXX) | City of God 6.1 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | 413–426 |
| Ps 40:4 (39:5 LXX) | City of God 7.17 · Augustine of Hippo | echo, medium confidence | 413–426 |
| Ps 40:4 (39:5 Vulg.) | City of God 15.21 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | 413–426 |
Psalms 40:5
Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders You have done, and the plans You have for us—none can compare to You—if I proclaim and declare them, they are more than I can count.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ps 40:5 (39:6 LXX) | Exposition of Psalm 118 2.30.2 · Ambrose | allusion, low confidence | ca. 386-397 |
| Ps 40:5 (39:6 LXX) | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 39.10.1 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
| Ps 40:5 (39:6 Vulg.) | Sermon 15.2 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| Ps 40:5 (39:6 LXX) | Sermon 223.2 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| Ps 40:5 (39:6 Vulg.) | Sermon 250.3 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| Ps 40:5 (39:6 Vulg.) | Sermon 251.2 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| Ps 40:5 (39:6 Vulg.) | Sermon 270.7 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| Ps 40:5 (39:6 LXX) | On Baptism, against the Donatists 5.38 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 400–401 |
| Ps 40:5 (39:6 LXX) | Tractates on the Gospel of John 122.7 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 406–420 |
| Ps 40:5 (39:6 LXX) | City of God 18.49 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | 413–426 |
| Ps 40:5 (39:6 Vulg.) | On Rebuke and Grace 13 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 427 |
Psalms 40:6
Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but my ears You have opened. Burnt offerings and sin offerings You did not require.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ps 40:6 (39:7 LXX) | Against Heresies 4.17.1 · Irenaeus of Lyons | quotation, high confidence | ca. 180–190 |
| Ps 40:6 (39:7 LXX) | PG 12:1405 (Ps 39 LXX) · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Ps 40:6 (39:7 LXX) | On Prayer 28.9 · Origen | echo, low confidence | ca. 233–234 |
| Ps 40:6 (39:7 LXX) | Commentary on Romans 9.1 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 244–246 (Rufinus's translation ca. 405–406) |
| Ps 40:6–9 (39:7-Ps LXX) | Demonstration of the Gospel 1.10.27 · Eusebius of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 314–324 |
| Ps 40:6 (39:7 LXX) | Demonstration of the Gospel 8.1.80 · Eusebius of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 314–324 |
| Ps 40:6 (39:7 Vulg.) | Tractates on the Psalms 53.13 · Hilary of Poitiers | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–367 |
| Ps 40:6 (39:7 Vulg.) | Apology of the Prophet David 80 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 384-390 |
| Ps 40:6 (39:7 LXX) | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 39.10.1 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
| Ps 40:6 (39:7 LXX) | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 39.26.1 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
| Ps 40:6 (39:7 Vulg.) | City of God 17.20 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | 413–426 |
| Ps 40:6 (39:7 LXX) | Sermon 108 · Peter Chrysologus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 425-450 |
Psalms 40:7
Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—it is written about me in the scroll:
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ps 40:7 (39:8 LXX) | PG 12:1405 (Ps 39 LXX) · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Ps 40:7 (39:8 LXX) | Commentary on John 5.6 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 230–248 |
| Ps 40:7 (39:8 Vulg.) | Apology of the Prophet David 80 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 384-390 |
| Ps 40:7 (39:8 LXX) | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 39.10.1 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
| Ps 40:7 (39:8 LXX) | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 39.11.1 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
| Ps 40:7 (39:8 LXX) | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 39.22.1 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
| Ps 40:7 (39:8 Vulg.) | Instructions 1.14 · Eucherius of Lyon | quotation, high confidence | ca. 428-434 |
Psalms 40:8
I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart.”
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ps 40:8 (39:9 LXX) | On Mount Sinai and Mount Zion 9 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | 3rd cent. (disputed) |
| Ps 40:8 (39:9 LXX) | PG 12:1405 (Ps 39 LXX) · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Ps 40:8 (39:9 LXX) | Letter 106.23 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| Ps 40:8 (39:9 Vulg.) | On the Christian Faith 2.6 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 378–380 |
| Ps 40:8 (39:9 LXX) | Exposition of Psalm 118 13.3.2 · Ambrose | quotation, low confidence | ca. 386-397 |
| Ps 40:8 (39:9 LXX) | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 39.10.1 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
| Ps 40:8 (39:9 LXX) | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 39.18.1 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
| Ps 40:8 (39:9 LXX) | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 39.22.1 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
| Ps 40:8 (39:9 LXX) | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 39.22.2 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
| Ps 40:8 (39:9 LXX) | The Conferences 9.34 · John Cassian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 426–429 |
Psalms 40:9
I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; behold, I do not seal my lips, as You, O LORD, do know.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ps 40:9 (39:10 LXX) | PG 12:1407 (Ps 39–40 LXX) · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Ps 40:9 (39:10 LXX) | Oration 32.20 · Gregory of Nazianzus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 362–383 |
| Ps 40:9 (39:10 LXX) | Oration 40.44 · Gregory of Nazianzus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 362–383 |
| Ps 40:9 (39:10 LXX) | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 39.22.1 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
| Ps 40:9 (39:10 LXX) | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 39.23.1 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
| Ps 40:9 (39:10 LXX) | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 39.24.1 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
Psalms 40:10
I have not covered up Your righteousness in my heart; I have declared Your faithfulness and salvation; I have not concealed Your loving devotion and faithfulness from the great assembly.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ps 40:10 (39:11 LXX) | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 39.22.1 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
| Ps 40:10 (39:11 LXX) | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 39.24.1 · Ambrose | allusion, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
| Ps 40:10 (39:11 LXX) | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 39.25.1 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
Psalms 40:12
For evils without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, so that I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart has failed within me.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ps 40:12 (39:13 LXX) | PG 12:1407 (Ps 39–40 LXX) · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Ps 40:12 (39:13 Vulg.) | On Fleeing the World 25 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-391 |
| Ps 40:12 (39:13 LXX) | Sermon 218.3 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| Ps 40:12 (39:13 Vulg.) | Letters 12.10 · Paulinus of Nola | allusion, high confidence | ca. 394–413 |
| Ps 40:12 (39:13 Vulg.) | Letters 23.10 · Paulinus of Nola | allusion, high confidence | ca. 394–413 |
| Ps 40:12 (39:13 Vulg.) | Letters 40.4 · Paulinus of Nola | quotation, high confidence | ca. 394–413 |
| Ps 40:12 (39:13 Vulg.) | Sermon 3 · Peter Chrysologus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 425-450 |
| Ps 40:12 (39:13 LXX) | Sermon 171 · Peter Chrysologus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 425-450 |
Psalms 40:13
Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me; hurry, O LORD, to help me.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ps 40:13 (39:14 LXX) | Letter 106.23 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
Psalms 40:14
May those who seek my life be ashamed and confounded; may those who wish me harm be repelled and humiliated.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ps 40:14 (39:15 LXX) | PG 12:1407 (Ps 39–40 LXX) · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Ps 40:14 (39:15 LXX) | On the Lord's Prayer 1131 · Gregory of Nyssa | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 380–394 |
| Ps 40:14 (39:15 LXX) | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 39.26.1 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
| Ps 40:14 (39:15 Vulg.) | Tractates on the Gospel of John 15.2 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, low confidence | ca. 406–420 |
| Ps 40:14 (39:15 LXX) | Tractates on the Gospel of John 38.2 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 406–420 |
| Ps 40:14 (39:15 LXX) | Tractates on the Gospel of John 50.3 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 406–420 |
| Ps 40:14 (39:15 LXX) | The Conferences 7.21 · John Cassian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 426–429 |
Psalms 40:15
May those who say to me, “Aha, aha!” be appalled at their own shame.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ps 40:15 (39:16 LXX) | Letter 95.2 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 386–430 |
| Ps 40:15 (39:16 Vulg.) | Confessions 1.21 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 397–401 |
| Ps 40:15 (39:16 Vulg.) | Confessions 10.59 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, high confidence | ca. 397–401 |
Psalms 40:16
May all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; may those who love Your salvation always say, “The LORD be magnified!”
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ps 40:16 (39:17 LXX) | Exhortation to the Greeks 10.107 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 190–200 |
Psalms 40:17
But I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my helper and deliverer; O my God, do not delay.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ps 40:17 (39:18 LXX) | PG 12:1407 (Ps 39–40 LXX) · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Ps 40:17 (39:18 LXX) | Prophetic Extracts 2.5 · Eusebius of Caesarea | allusion, low confidence | before 325 (probably ca. 310–320) |
| Ps 40:17 (39:18 LXX) | Letter 120.1 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| Ps 40:17 (39:18 LXX) | Letter 94.7 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 386–430 |
| Ps 40:17 (39:18 Vulg.) | Letters 45.7 · Paulinus of Nola | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 394–413 |