“Many, 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.”
The enumeration of God's wonders and purposes beyond count declares divine action so abundant and complex that human accounting proves impossible—vastly exceeding human comprehension or calculation. This verse echoes and expands upon the Wisdom literature's celebration of divine complexity (Job 5:9, 9:10) and establishes God's designs as fundamentally beyond human prediction or control. The incomparability of God's purposes to human plans should both humble human presumption and inspire trust that divine wisdom transcends apparent contradiction or delay. Yet God sets these purposes in relation to human hearts—though beyond comprehensive understanding, they remain oriented toward those who love God. This verse establishes the theological foundation for accepting mystery in prayer and trusting that God's delays or silences do not indicate absence or indifference.
Church Fathers on Psalms 40:5
1. Of all those things which our Lord Jesus Christ has foretold, we know part to have been already accomplished, part we hope will be accomplished hereafter. All of them, however, will be fulfilled, because He is “the Truth” who speaks them, and requires of us to be as “faithful,” as He Himself speaks them faithfully.... 2. Let us say then what this Psalm says. “I waited patiently for the Lord” Psalm 39:1. I waited patiently for the promise of no mere mortal who can both…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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