I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.

PSALMS 40:10KJV
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Psalms 40:10 (KJV)

What does Psalms 40:10 mean?

Psalms 40:10 describes how the writer, traditionally understood as David, has not kept God’s goodness a secret but has openly spoken about God’s righteousness, faithfulness, salvation, lovingkindness, and truth to the gathered people. The verse emphasizes that David has not hidden these qualities in his heart but has shared them publicly with the community.

David is speaking to God, reflecting on his commitment to declare God’s character and actions before the “great congregation,” meaning the assembled people of Israel. The verse shows David’s desire to make God’s saving acts and steadfast love known, rather than keeping them private. This openness is presented as an important part of worship and leadership in Israel’s community life.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 40:10

  • צֶדֶק (tsedeq, “righteousness”): This word often means doing what is right or just according to God’s standards. Here, it highlights that David is not keeping God’s justice and right actions to himself.
  • אֱמוּנָה (emunah, “faithfulness”): This word carries the sense of reliability and trustworthiness. David is declaring that God can be counted on, which would reassure and encourage the listeners.
  • חֶסֶד (chesed, “lovingkindness”): This word refers to God’s loyal love or steadfast kindness. By not concealing this, David is making sure the people know about God’s ongoing, committed love.
  • קָהָל (qahal, “congregation”): This word means an assembly or gathering, often for worship. The focus is on sharing these truths with the whole community, not just a select few.

Why Psalms 40:10 matters

  • Psalms 40:10 clears up the idea that faith is only a private matter; it shows that sharing about God’s character and actions is important in the life of faith.
  • The verse emphasizes the value of public testimony—making God’s goodness known strengthens the whole community, not just the individual.
  • In the wider context of Psalms 40, this verse connects David’s personal experience of God’s help with his responsibility to encourage and teach others, showing how personal faith and public witness go hand in hand.

Where else these words appear

“concealed” Hebrew H3582 · used in 30 verses

  • Genesis 47:18 When that year was ended, they came unto him the second year, and said unto him, We will not hide it from my lord, how that our money is spent; my lord also hath our herds of cattle; there is not ought left in the sight of my lord, but our bodies, and our lands:
  • 2 Chronicles 32:21 And the LORD sent an angel, which cut off all the mighty men of valour, and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he was come into the house of his god, they that came forth of his own bowels slew him there with the sword.
  • Psalms 83:4 They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.

“salvation” Hebrew H8668 · used in 32 verses

  • Judges 15:18 And he was sore athirst, and called on the LORD, and said, Thou hast given this great deliverance into the hand of thy servant: and now shall I die for thirst, and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised?
  • 1 Chronicles 19:12 And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me: but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will help thee.
  • Psalms 119:41 VAU. Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word.

“faithfulness” Hebrew H530 · used in 49 verses

  • Exodus 17:12 But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.
  • Psalms 88:11 Shall thy lovingkindness be declared in the grave? or thy faithfulness in destruction?
  • Psalms 119:138 Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.

“congregation” Hebrew H6951 · used in 116 verses

  • Genesis 28:3 And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people;
  • 1 Kings 8:22 And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven:
  • Nehemiah 5:13 Also I shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labour, that performeth not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the LORD. And the people did according to this promise.