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Verse Takeaways
1
Obedience Over Ritual
Commentators unanimously agree that this verse emphasizes a core biblical principle: God desires a listening and obedient heart more than external religious ceremonies. Scholars like Calvin and Barnes explain that the animal sacrifices of the Old Testament were not what God ultimately wanted for their own sake. They were valuable only as they pointed to a deeper, spiritual reality of faith and heartfelt devotion.
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Book Overview
Psalms
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Commentaries
8
Albert Barnes
On Psalms 40:6
18th Century
Theologian
Sacrifice and offering – The first of the words used here—זבח zebach—properly means a bloody offering; the other—מנחה<…
Charles Ellicott
On Psalms 40:6
19th Century
Bishop
Mine ears hast thou opened. —Literally, Ears you have dug for me, which can hardly mean anything but “You have g…
Charles Spurgeon
On Psalm 40:6
19th Century
Preacher
Sacrifice and offering you did not desire;
The blood of all the bullocks, rams, and lambs offered in sacrifice, had possessed no re…
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John Calvin
On Psalms 40:6
16th Century
Theologian
In sacrifice and oblation you have not taken pleasure. Here David offers not only the sacrifice of praise, or, as the prophet Hosea calls …
John Gill
On Psalms 40:6
17th Century
Pastor
Sacrifice and offering you did not desire
These were desired, willed, and appointed by God, and that very early, eve…
Matthew Henry
On Psalms 40:6–10
17th Century
Minister
The psalmist foretells that work of wonder: redemption by our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Substance, who is Christ, must come. He must bring that…