Psalms 40:7
Then I said, “Behold, I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me:
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The phrase "in the scroll of the book" points to a deeply personal, divinely ordained purpose. It suggests that the Messiah's coming wasn't a spontaneous decision, but a preordained plan, meticulously recorded in Scripture, highlighting His specific role in fulfilling God's will through obedience. This isn't just a general prophecy; it's a specific mission written into the very fabric of God's Word, awaiting its fulfillment.
The psalm shifts from speaking about animal sacrifices to a direct, personal declaration of dedication. This declaration ("Lo, I come") is understood by many, including the New Testament writer of Hebrews, as the voice of the Messiah himself, responding to God's desire for true obedience over mere ritual. The speaker explains that this willingness to fulfill God's will is not a spontaneous decision but something prophesied, written long ago in the scrolls of Scripture.
Animal sacrifices were central to ancient Israelite worship. But did God really want them, or was there something deeper?
The Limits of Sacrifice
Psalms 40:6 sets the stage: "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire; burnt offering and sin offering you have not required."
This isn't saying God hated animal sacrifices. They were vital, commanded parts of the Mosaic Law. But here, the Psalmist points to a crucial truth: the ultimate purpose of these rituals wasn't the animals themselves.
A Deeper Obedience
God desired something more profound than mere ritual performance. He wanted a willing heart, a surrendered spirit. The verse continues, "mine ears you have opened." This signifies a readiness to hear and obey God's will, a personal devotion that outward ceremonies alone couldn't provide.
This points forward to a perfect fulfillment where obedience stems from a heart transformed by God's Spirit, not just external observance. It’s about internal alignment with God's desires.
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The ancient scrolls held God's Word, but Psalm 40:7 claims something extraordinary: it was written about the speaker.
A Prophetic Declaration
The phrase "in the volume of the book it is written of me" is a powerful prophetic statement. While David himself spoke these words, the New Testament, particularly Hebrews 10:7, applies them directly to Jesus Christ.
The Written Will of God
Ancient books were scrolls. The "volume of the book" referred to the Law, the writings of Moses, and potentially all of Scripture available at the time. It wasn't just a general statement about obedience; it was a specific declaration that the Messiah's coming and mission were foretold in God's Word.
This means Christ's incarnation, his perfect obedience, and his ultimate sacrifice were not last-minute decisions but part of God's eternal plan, meticulously recorded and revealed in Scripture.
This verse is a profound declaration by the Messiah, Jesus Christ, anticipating His incarnation and perfect obedience. It anchors His coming not in a vacuum, but as the fulfillment of God's written Word, the scrolls of the Old Testament, which pointed to His ultimate sacrifice and ministry.
~1400-400 BC
The Law is Written
The Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament, is written, containing the foundational laws and narratives of Israel's covenant relationship with God. This collection of writings, in scroll form, would have been the primary 'book' known to David and later readers.
c. 1000 BC
Davidic Kingdom Flourishes
King David reigns, a period of relative peace and prosperity for Israel. As a skilled musician and poet, David composes many of the Psalms, reflecting on God's faithfulness and the covenant promises.
c. 950 BC
Temple Construction Begins
Solomon, David's son, begins construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem, establishing a central place for animal sacrifices and worship as prescribed by the Law.
c. 622 BC
Deuteronomy Discovered
The Book of Deuteronomy is discovered in the Temple during renovations under King Josiah. This event highlights the importance of written Scripture and its potential for revival and reform.
c. 500s BC - 1st Century AD
Scrolls of Scripture Compiled
Over centuries, the various writings of the Old Testament are collected, canonized, and copied onto scrolls, becoming the authoritative 'volume of the book' for Jewish communities.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus' Ministry and Sacrifice
Jesus Christ fulfills the prophecies and sacrificial system foreshadowed in the Old Testament. He declares His readiness to obey God's will, His incarnation and sacrifice being 'written' in Scripture.
The Apostle Paul directly quotes this verse and applies it to Jesus, highlighting His perfect obedience and willingness to fulfill God's will through His sacrifice.
Luke 24:44Jesus Himself refers to the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms as testifying about Him, underscoring the prophetic nature of passages like Psalm 40:7 pointing to His coming.
Genesis 3:15This foundational promise of a 'seed of the woman' who would crush the serpent's head is seen as an early prophecy within the 'volume of the book' that points towards Christ's redemptive mission.
John 6:38Jesus declares His purpose to do the will of God, echoing the sentiment of this Psalm and showing His profound commitment to fulfilling all that was written about Him.
clarkePsalms 40:7: "Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,"
In the volume of the book - במגלת ספר bimegillath sepher, "in the roll of the book." Anciently, books were written on skins, and rolled up. Among the Romans, these were called volumina, from volvo, I roll; and the Pentateuch in the Jewish synagogues is still written in this way. There are two wooden rollers; on one they roll on, on the other they roll off, as they proceed in reading. One now lying before me,…
barnesPsalms 40:7: "Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,"
Then said I-- In Hebrews 10:7 , the apostle applies this to the Messiah. See the notes at that verse. This is the most simple and satisfactory interpretation of the passage. The word "then" in this verse means, "since this is the case;" or, "things being thus." It does not refer to time, but to the condition of things. "Since it was certain that the work needful to be done could not be accomplished by bloody…
The phrase "in the scroll of the book" points to a deeply personal, divinely ordained purpose. It suggests that the Messiah's coming wasn't a spontaneous decision, but a preordained plan, meticulously recorded in Scripture, highlighting His specific role in fulfilling God's will through obedience. This isn't just a general prophecy; it's a specific mission written into the very fabric of God's Word, awaiting its fulfillment.
The psalm shifts from speaking about animal sacrifices to a direct, personal declaration of dedication. This declaration ("Lo, I come") is understood by many, including the New Testament writer of Hebrews, as the voice of the Messiah himself, responding to God's desire for true obedience over mere ritual. The speaker explains that this willingness to fulfill God's will is not a spontaneous decision but something prophesied, written long ago in the scrolls of Scripture.
The psalm shifts from speaking about animal sacrifices to a direct, personal declaration of dedication. This declaration ("Lo, I come") is understood by many, including the New Testament writer of Hebrews, as the voice of the Messiah himself, responding to God's desire for true obedience over mere ritual. The speaker explains that this willingness to fulfill God's will is not a spontaneous decision but something prophesied, written long ago in the scrolls of Scripture.
"Then I said, “Behold, I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me:" — The phrase "in the scroll of the book" points to a deeply personal, divinely ordained purpose. It suggests that the Messiah's coming wasn't a spontaneous decision, but a preordained plan, meticulousl…
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