Psalm 40:5-8: Christ's Perfect Sacrifice and Delight in God's Will

Psalm 40:5-8

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

6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire; my ears have you opened: burnt offering and sin offering have you not required.

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

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

Psalm 40:5-8 reveals the profound depths of God's wonderful works and the selfless devotion of Jesus Christ, who came to fulfill the divine will and replace the old sacrificial system with a perfect, once-for-all offering Psalms 40:5-8PTUK November 17, 1898, page 721.2+1.

The Multitude of God’s Wondrous Works

The psalmist begins by acknowledging that God's wonderful works and thoughts toward humanity are so numerous that they cannot be reckoned or numbered Psalms 40:5. These blessings include life, health, reason, and happiness, all of which are bestowed upon us through the virtue of Christ's life and deathYI April 26, 1894, par. 2. This boundless compassion is demonstrated most clearly in the gift of His only begotten Son, a sacrifice of matchless love intended to save the lost race from eternal death John 3:175T 625.2+1.

The Transition from Type to Antitype

While the Old Testament system required continual sacrifices and burnt offerings, these were never the ultimate desire of God Psalms 40:6PTUK November 17, 1898, page 721.2+1.

• The Limitation of Animal Sacrifices: It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to actually take away sins; they served only as a remembrance and a "shadow of good things to come" Hebrews 10:1-4RH May 31, 1898, par. 6+1.

• A Body Prepared: When Christ came into the world, He recognized that God did not desire the blood of animals but had instead prepared a body for Him to offer Hebrews 10:5PTUK November 17, 1898, page 721.2+1.

• Establishing the New Covenant: By coming to do the will of God, Christ took away the first system of repetitive offerings to establish the second—His own perfect sacrifice Hebrews 10:9PTUK November 17, 1898, page 721.2+1.

The Joy of Perfect Obedience

The heart of this passage is the Messiah's declaration of His intent: "Lo, I come... I delight to do Thy will, O My God" Psalms 40:7-8.

• The Law Within the Heart: Unlike the externalism of traditional legalism, Christ possessed the law of God within His very heart, which was the foundation of His perfect obedience Psalms 40:8PTUK November 17, 1898, page 721.2+1.

• A Willing Sacrifice: Christ's mission was not a result of chance but a design laid out in counsel with His Father; He willingly laid aside His kingly robe and crown to clothe His divinity with humanitySWk 85.1+1.

• Our Substitute and Surety: He became our substitute and surety, engaging in a great controversy with Satan to break the deception of sin and lead humanity back to the cross5T 625.2+1.

The Practical Application for Believers

Those who are members of Christ’s body will mirror His devotion and also delight to do the will of God with His law in their heartsPTUK November 17, 1898, page 721.2.

• Sanctification Through His Will: It is by this same divine will that we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all Hebrews 10:10PTUK November 17, 1898, page 721.2+1.

• A Call to Personal Sacrifice: Because we have been bought with a price, we are no longer our own and should present ourselves as a gratitude offering to Him Psalms 51:17PH135 10.1+1.

• True Godliness: True godliness is revealed in right actions and a submission to God's law that brings sweet peace and reconciliation4bSG 147.1+1.

• The Book of Life: Those who follow Christ’s example of self-denial and sacrifice will have their names registered in the Lamb’s book of life, an honor that far outweighs any worldly loss Revelation 13:8PTUK November 17, 1898, page 721.2+1.