All things bear record · Psalms

Psalms 40

4 witnesses of Christ here.

The Rock

I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. Psalms 40:1–2

The LORD lifts the psalmist out of the pit and sets him on a rock. Book of Mormon prophets teach that the sure rock to build on is Christ, our Redeemer.

AttestedJehovah — the LORDA divine name

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

  • the same title in Helaman 5:12 — 'The rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God.'

Lo, I Come to Do Thy Will

Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. Psalms 40:6–8

Hebrews 10 declares these are the words Christ spoke when He came into the world: the old sacrifices could not take away sin, so the Son came to offer Himself, doing His Father's will. The scriptures are the 'volume of the book' written of Him.

AttestedExplicitHe speaks in the first person

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

  • quoted by Hebrews 10:5-9 — Hebrews quotes these verses as Christ speaking 'when he cometh into the world.'
  • interpreted by Hebrews 10:4 — The blood of bulls and goats could not take away sins.
  • alluded to by Luke 24:44 — All things written in the law, prophets and psalms concerning Him must be fulfilled.
  • alluded to by John 5:39 — The scriptures 'are they which testify of me.'

Preaching in the Great Congregation

I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest. Psalms 40:9–10

Following straight on from the words Hebrews gives to Christ, the speaker has openly declared God's righteousness and salvation, which fits the Savior's public ministry.

AttestedProphecy or typeA prophecy of Him

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

Help and Deliverer

Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified. Psalms 40:16–17

The LORD is called 'my help and my deliverer.' Jehovah, the premortal Christ, is the Deliverer who saves the poor and needy.

AttestedJehovah — the LORDA title of Christ

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

  • the same title in Romans 11:26 — Christ as 'the Deliverer' who comes out of Sion.