Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

40:11-17 I Am Again in Need. Verse 11 continues the allusion to Ex. 34:6 from Ps. 40:10, saying that the previous experiences provide assurance that, in the current distress (evils . . . beyond number and my iniquities, v. 12), God will likewise make haste to help the singer (v. 13). As is often the case in the Psalms, the distress comes at the hands of people eager to hurt and to gloat over the faithful (vv. 14-15). To pray for deliverance from the schemes of such people (i.e., to ask that they be put to shame, disappointed, turned back, and brought to dishonor, v. 14) should not be considered vindictive. In contrast, the faithful (all who seek the Lord) will rejoice and be glad (v. 16) when the singer tells the "glad news" in the "great congregation" (v. 9).