Neville Goddard on Psalms 40:1-17 - Mystical Bible Interpretation

Read Psalms 40 in context

Scripture Focus

1I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

2He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.

3And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.

4Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

5Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.

6Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.

7Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,

8I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.

9I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.

10I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.

11Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.

12For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me.

13Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me.

14Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.

15Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha.

16Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.

17But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.

Psalms 40:1-17

Biblical Context

Psalm 40:1-17 speaks of waiting on the Lord, being lifted from a pit, and a new song of praise that confirms trust in God. It then urges wholehearted delight in doing His will and living righteousness openly in the great assembly.

Neville's Inner Vision

In the Psalm, the outer drama of cry and deliverance is but a reflection of an inner state. The 'LORD' you wait upon is the I AM within you, the consciousness that can incline toward your cry when you turn with pure attention. When you feel pulled into a 'horrible pit' of doubt, remember that your awareness can set your feet upon a rock of certainty; the moment you refuse to dwell in fear, you establish your goings on solid ground. The 'new song' is a renewal of inner speech—praise arising from the sense of being already supported by your inward God. Many shall see and trust because your inner transformation becomes visible as confidence and steadiness in action. Sacrifice or offering are not the measure; the ears opened signify listening to the still, small voice of the I AM, and the law within the heart is your living directive. Your righteousness and mercy long to be proclaimed in the great assembly—the world is watching your changed state. You are not poor or needy; the Lord thinks upon you, and your task is to dwell in that awareness now.

Practice This Now

Close your eyes and assume: I am delivered now; I am the I AM in action. See yourself rising from the pit, feet firm on a rock of surety, and feel the inner law guiding your steps as you speak your new song.