Then I said, “Behold, I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me: I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrase "in the scroll of the book" isn't just a reference to ancient writings; it highlights that Christ's coming wasn't a spontaneous decision but a foreordained purpose, deeply inscribed within God's divine plan and revealed throughout Scripture. This emphasizes that His obedience and sacrifice were not merely an option, but the essential, prophesied fulfillment of God's promises.
Then I said, “Behold, I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me: I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The psalmist is reflecting on God's faithfulness and deliverance, contrasting empty sacrifices with heartfelt obedience. He speaks of God's law being written on his heart, signifying a deep, internal commitment. This leads to a declaration of willingness to fulfill God's purpose, a purpose deeply rooted in Scripture itself and ultimately fulfilled by the Messiah.
When the psalmist declares, 'Behold, I have come,' it sounds like a personal decision. But the context reveals something much grander at play.
The phrase 'Then I said' can feel like a casual announcement. However, the word 'then' here isn't about timing; it’s about the reason for speaking. Things being as they were – the inadequacy of animal sacrifices to truly deal with sin – led to this declaration. More importantly, this wasn't a spontaneous decision. The verse continues, 'in the scroll of the book it is written of me.' This signifies that the coming, the purpose, and the very words were foreordained and recorded in God's Word long before. It points to a divine plan, a promised Messiah whose arrival was a certainty, not a maybe. This wasn't just David speaking for himself; it was a prophetic declaration pointing to Christ, who willingly stepped into His preordained role.
Imagine ancient books – not bound paper, but long scrolls. What did 'the scroll of the book' signify in David's time, and how does it speak to us?
In ancient times, books were indeed scrolls, written on parchment and rolled up. The 'scroll of the book' mentioned here most likely refers to the Law of Moses, the Pentateuch, as it was the primary written revelation available at that time. This 'book' wasn't just a historical record; it was a living testament containing prophecies and foreshadowing of God's plan for redemption. It contained the instructions for sacrifices, yes, but also the foundational promises, like the seed of the woman who would bruise the serpent's head (Genesis 3:15). The significance here is that the entirety of the Mosaic Law, in its deepest intent, pointed towards the coming Messiah and His ultimate sacrifice. It was a testament Christ, even if not always explicitly naming Him.
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The verse contrasts divine desire with human offerings. What does this tell us about the heart of God and the nature of true worship?
The preceding verses (which are part of the same psalm, 40:6-8) make a crucial point: God doesn't primarily desire burnt offerings and sacrifices. While commanded, these outward rituals were insufficient on their own. The true desire of God, revealed through this prophetic declaration, is a willing heart. The Messiah comes not just to fulfill rituals, but to 'do Your will, O my God.' This willingness, this 'delighting' in God's will, is the true sacrifice. It speaks of an inner transformation, an obedience that stems from the heart, not merely from external duty. This is the model of worship God seeks – a full consecration, a heart engraved with His law, willingly surrendered to His purposes.
Understand the original words
torah · Hebrew Noun
The divine requirement or mandate; it signifies God's sovereign standard for holiness, justice, and life, which guides the believer.
me'ah · Hebrew Noun
The central inner self or seat of human consciousness, will, and emotion; where the law is kept when it is truly internalized.
This verse, written by David, wasn't just a personal reflection on obedience. It was a profound prophecy, understood even in ancient times, pointing to Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfilled God's written will through His incarnation and ultimate sacrifice.
c. 1400-1000 BC
Compilation of the Pentateuch
The first five books of the Hebrew Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy) were compiled. These books lay out God's law, including sacrificial systems, and contain prophetic hints of a future redeemer.
c. 1000 BC
Davidic Kingdom Flourishes
King David reigns, a period of relative peace and prosperity in Israel. He is traditionally credited with writing many of the Psalms, including Psalm 40.
c. 1000 BC— this verse
Psalm 40 Composed
The author, traditionally David, reflects on God's deliverance. The verse speaks prophetically of a future Messiah who would fulfill God's will through a perfect obedience, not just sacrifices.
c. 500 BC
Septuagint Translation Begins
The Hebrew Scriptures are translated into Greek, the common language of the time. This translation (the Septuagint) renders Psalm 40:6-8 in a way that strongly emphasizes Christ's coming and a prepared body.
c. 60 AD
New Testament Written
Writers like Paul use the Septuagint version of Psalm 40 in their letters, explicitly applying the 'Lo, I come' passage to Jesus Christ's incarnation and sacrifice.
This passage directly quotes Psalm 40:6-8 (including verse 7) and explicitly applies it to Jesus Christ, emphasizing His perfect obedience and substitutionary sacrifice in contrast to animal offerings.
Luke 24:44Jesus Himself explains that all the Old Testament writings – the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms – testify about Him, aligning with the idea in Psalm 40:7 that the Messiah's coming and mission were foretold in Scripture.
Genesis 3:15This foundational prophecy, often called the 'protoevangelium,' is seen by many commentators as the earliest mention in the 'scroll of the book' about the Seed of the woman who would crush the serpent's head, a clear prefigurement of Christ's redemptive work.
John 6:38Jesus echoes the sentiment of Psalm 40:7-8, stating 'For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me,' underscoring His perfect willingness and predestined purpose to fulfill God's plan.
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" isn't just a reference to ancient writings; it highlights that Christ's coming wasn't a spontaneous decision but a foreordained purpose, deeply inscribed within God's divine plan and revealed throughout Scripture. This emphasizes that His obedience and sacrifice were not merely an option, but the essential, prophesied fulfillment of God's promises.
The psalmist is reflecting on God's faithfulness and deliverance, contrasting empty sacrifices with heartfelt obedience. He speaks of God's law being written on his heart, signifying a deep, internal commitment. This leads to a declaration of willingness to fulfill God's purpose, a purpose deeply rooted in Scripture itself and ultimately fulfilled by the Messiah.
The psalmist is reflecting on God's faithfulness and deliverance, contrasting empty sacrifices with heartfelt obedience. He speaks of God's law being written on his heart, signifying a deep, internal commitment. This leads to a declaration of willingness to fulfill God's purpose, a purpose deeply rooted in Scripture itself and ultimately fulfilled by the Messiah.
"Then I said, “Behold, I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me: I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.”" — The phrase "in the scroll of the book" isn't just a reference to ancient writings; it highlights that Christ's coming wasn't a spontaneous decision but a foreordained purpose, deeply inscribed within…
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Last reviewed October 2026