Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 40:16

"Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: Let such as love thy salvation say continually, Jehovah be magnified." — Psalms 40:16 (ASV)

Let all those that seek thee – All those who desire to know you, to understand your ways, to be your friends. The phrase is used to denote the truly pious, because it is a characteristic of all such people that they truly desire to be acquainted with God and to find the way that leads to His favor.

Rejoice and be glad in thee –

1. By finding you, or securing the object which they sought;
2. In you, as the source of all true comfort and joy.

The prayer is that all such people may be successful in their efforts, while those who have no such aim may be disappointed (Psalms 40:14).

Let such as love thy salvation –

• Your method of salvation, or the appointed way by which people may be saved; and
• The salvation itself – deliverance from the guilt and dominion of sin, and complete and eternal restoration to the favor of God.

Say continually, The Lord be magnified – See the notes at Psalm 35:27, where the same expression occurs.