Psalms 40:5

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

רַבּ֤וֹת Many H7227
רַבּ֤וֹת Many
Strong's: H7227
Word #: 1 of 15
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
עָשִׂ֨יתָ׀ works which thou hast done H6213
עָשִׂ֨יתָ׀ works which thou hast done
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 2 of 15
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אַתָּ֤ה׀ H859
אַתָּ֤ה׀
Strong's: H859
Word #: 3 of 15
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
יְהוָ֣ה O LORD H3068
יְהוָ֣ה O LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 4 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהַי֮ my God H430
אֱלֹהַי֮ my God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 5 of 15
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
נִֽפְלְאֹתֶ֥יךָ are thy wonderful H6381
נִֽפְלְאֹתֶ֥יךָ are thy wonderful
Strong's: H6381
Word #: 6 of 15
properly, perhaps to separate, i.e., distinguish (literally or figuratively); by implication, to be (causatively, make) great, difficult, wonderful
וּמַחְשְׁבֹתֶ֗יךָ and thy thoughts H4284
וּמַחְשְׁבֹתֶ֗יךָ and thy thoughts
Strong's: H4284
Word #: 7 of 15
a contrivance, i.e., (concretely) a texture, machine, or (abstractly) intention, plan (whether bad, a plot; or good, advice)
אֵ֫לֵ֥ינוּ H413
אֵ֫לֵ֥ינוּ
Strong's: H413
Word #: 8 of 15
near, with or among; often in general, to
אֵ֤ין׀ H369
אֵ֤ין׀
Strong's: H369
Word #: 9 of 15
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
עֲרֹ֬ךְ which are to us-ward they cannot be reckoned up in order H6186
עֲרֹ֬ךְ which are to us-ward they cannot be reckoned up in order
Strong's: H6186
Word #: 10 of 15
to set in a row, i.e., arrange, put in order (in a very wide variety of applications)
אֵלֶ֗יךָ H413
אֵלֶ֗יךָ
Strong's: H413
Word #: 11 of 15
near, with or among; often in general, to
אַגִּ֥ידָה unto thee if I would declare H5046
אַגִּ֥ידָה unto thee if I would declare
Strong's: H5046
Word #: 12 of 15
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
וַאֲדַבֵּ֑רָה and speak H1696
וַאֲדַבֵּ֑רָה and speak
Strong's: H1696
Word #: 13 of 15
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
עָ֝צְמ֗וּ of them they are more H6105
עָ֝צְמ֗וּ of them they are more
Strong's: H6105
Word #: 14 of 15
to bind fast, i.e., close (the eyes); intransitively, to be (causatively, make) powerful or numerous; to crunch the bones
מִסַּפֵּֽר׃ than can be numbered H5608
מִסַּפֵּֽר׃ than can be numbered
Strong's: H5608
Word #: 15 of 15
properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra

Analysis & Commentary

This verse celebrates the innumerability of God's works and thoughts toward His people. The Hebrew mah rabbu ('how many') expresses wonder at divine abundance. God's thoughts (machshavot) toward us are purposeful plans, not random impulses. They cannot be 'reckoned up in order' because they exceed human capacity to catalog divine grace.

Historical Context

The theme of God's countless mercies appears throughout the Psalter, reflecting Israel's corporate memory of deliverance from Egypt, wilderness provision, and establishment in the promised land.

Questions for Reflection