Bible Strands
Psalms 40:9
I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; behold, I do not seal my lips, as You, O LORD, do know.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses the LORD while publicly declaring faith before a large gathering. This statement follows a personal commitment to internalize God's law and precedes a pledge to continue declaring divine attributes without concealment.
The words — בִּשְׂרַתִּי (bi.Sar.ti) means "I have borne news," and צֶדֶק (Tze.dek) translates to "righteousness." The verb אֶכְלָא (ekh.La) denotes "I restrain," paired with לֹא (lo') "not" to describe an unsealed mouth.
The thread — The declaration in a "great assembly" echoes Psalms 22:22 and Psalms 22:25, where public proclamation to the congregation is repeated. The directive to proclaim aligns with the command in Mark 16:15 to go and preach to all creation.
Why it lands — The text demands open, unreserved speech about divine righteousness before others. It requires the reader to align public declaration with internal conviction, refusing to hide what God already knows.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O Lord, thou knowest.
Cross-references
- Psalms 22:25 My praise for You resounds in the great assembly; I will fulfill my vows before those who fear You.
- Mark 16:15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
- Psalms 22:22 I will proclaim Your name to my brothers; I will praise You in the assembly.
- Psalms 71:15 My mouth will declare Your righteousness and Your salvation all day long, though I cannot know their full measure.
- Psalms 35:18 Then I will give You thanks in the great assembly; I will praise You among many people.
- Psalms 119:13 With my lips I proclaim all the judgments of Your mouth.
- Hebrews 2:12 He says: “I will proclaim Your name to My brothers; I will sing Your praises in the assembly.”
- Luke 4:16 Then Jesus came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. As was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath. And when He stood up to read,
- Joshua 22:22 “The LORD, the Mighty One, is God! The LORD, the Mighty One, is God! He knows, and may Israel also know. If this was in rebellion or breach of faith against the LORD, do not spare us today.
- Psalms 119:171 My lips pour forth praise, for You teach me Your statutes.