Beth Elohim Messianic Synagogue
Response to question about Psalm 40:6-8
In the Jerusalem Bible this psalm is described as a “Song of praise and a prayer for help.” There are slightly different variations depending on the text from which it was taken. In the Septuagint, the psalm is numbered as 39. The meaning is also a little different between the Septuagint and the English King James Version because the Septuagint and the Masoretic Text come from different textual traditions.
As Messianic Jewish believers, we understand that the King James Version was written with a definite Christian church replacement theology. Therefore, it is important to know the various interpretations that we may discern the most accurate meaning of the verses in question.
In the Hebrew, Psalm 40:6-8 translates as the following:
“Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering has thou not required. Then said I, Lo, I come; in the volume of the book, it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my G-d: yea, thy law is within my heart.”
Some writers see these verses prophetic of Yahshua. Others see it as a prayer of salvation. I submit that David comprehends the meaning of all the sacrifices of the law. He expresses in just a few words that although the sacrificial law was intact, G-d requires more than procedural obedience of those who serve Him. G-d is only satisfied with sincerity of the heart, with faith and holiness as we are to be a holy people set apart for G-d’s service. G-d takes no pleasure in the visible sanctuary, the altar, the entire paradigm of the Temple cult without the heart of the one making the sacrifices. David concludes that the individual should be guided by yielding himself/herself entirely consecrated to G-d.
In some translations, the word opened mine ears is translated as bored mine ears. Some commentators maintain that using this expression David is referencing the ordinance under the Law in Exodus 21:6 that explains how a servant who does not wish to leave his master, subsequently having an awl piercing both ears placed to show perpetual bondage to the master. Others simply consider that it is of the same meaning as to represent the qualification for service. David mentions both ears. We know humans are naturally deaf because they are so distracted by the world that their ears are stopped until G-d “opens” or “pierces” their ears so that they become those described in G-d’s Torah as “those who have ears to hear.” This is not a physical concept of which we are speaking, but a spiritual awakening to the Word of G-d. By this expression, we see that it is the Holy Spirit that can move man toward G-d and not any efforts by preachers, teachers, or those who claim to “save” people.
David’s “hearing” was opened to a true meaning of the sacrificial system which represented the spiritual service to G-d through tangible sacrifices and offerings. He understood that G-d requires a higher and more excellent nature beyond simple obedience to His Commands. The sacrificial system was designed to lead people to a spiritual piety beyond the physical. G-d made use of these elements to lead his people to the exercise of faith and repentance.
In verse 7 we can understand that offering oneself is of no value to G-d unless it is done willingly. The words “Lo! I come” indicates that David’s choice to follow G-d is a voluntary one. The Hebrew word chphsty, chaphatsti, means “I was well pleased or, I willingly condescended. Davis is indicating his willingness and readiness to yield obedience out of a loving heart. His language implies that he preferred service to G-d to the exclusion of everything else, embracing G-d’s requirement that we become holy and live accordingly. As I previously mentioned, David indicates that it is the specific job of the Holy Spirit to engrave the Law of G-d on our hearts. G-d does not “force’ anyone into a loving obedience of His Torah. The Holy Spirit “woos” us into a broken heart for our sinful lives and rebellion against His Torah to a situation whereby we are moved to humble repentance and a true desire as David said, “I have delighted to do Your pleasure, O my Elohim, and your Torah is written on my heart.”
If there are any specific questions that this response did not address, please contact me and I will address them.
Shalom v’brachas,
Rabbi Tamah Davis-Hart