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.

PSALMS 40:5KJV
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Psalms 40:5 (KJV)

What does Psalms 40:5 mean?

Psalms 40:5 expresses awe at the countless wonderful things God has done and the many thoughts He has toward His people, saying they are too many to count or fully describe. The verse highlights that God's actions and care are beyond human ability to list or fully understand.

King David is speaking directly to God, reflecting on God's goodness and the many ways God has acted for him and for others. David recognizes that even if he tried to speak about every one of God's works and thoughts, they would be more than he could ever number or explain, showing a sense of wonder and humility before God’s greatness.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 40:5

  • "Wonderful" (פָּלָא, palaʾ): This word means things that are extraordinary or beyond normal human ability. David is not just talking about everyday blessings, but about acts that are truly amazing and hard to explain.
  • "Thoughts" (מַחֲשָׁבָה, machashavah): This word refers to God’s plans, intentions, or purposes. The verse points out that God’s plans for His people are deep and numerous, not just passing ideas.
  • "Numbered" (סָפַר, saphar): This word means to count or keep track. David’s use of it here stresses that God’s works and thoughts are so many, they go beyond what anyone could ever count or keep a record of.

Why Psalms 40:5 matters

  • Psalms 40:5 helps clear up the idea that God’s involvement in people’s lives is limited or small; instead, it emphasizes that God’s works and thoughts are vast and personal.
  • The verse highlights the importance of recognizing God's ongoing care and the impossibility of fully grasping or repaying what He has done.
  • It connects to the wider theme in Psalms of remembering and praising God’s faithfulness, encouraging humility and gratitude in response to God’s overwhelming goodness.

Where else these words appear

“more” Hebrew H6105 · used in 20 verses

  • Genesis 26:16 And Abimelech said unto Isaac, Go from us; for thou art much mightier than we.
  • Psalms 105:24 And he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies.
  • Jeremiah 15:8 Their widows are increased to me above the sand of the seas: I have brought upon them against the mother of the young men a spoiler at noonday: I have caused him to fall upon it suddenly, and terrors upon the city.

“thoughts” Hebrew H4284 · used in 52 verses

  • Genesis 6:5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
  • Psalms 56:5 Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil.
  • Jeremiah 4:14 O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee?

“wonderful” Hebrew H6381 · used in 69 verses

  • Genesis 18:14 Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.
  • Job 5:9 Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number:
  • Psalms 107:15 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

“order” Hebrew H6186 · used in 71 verses

  • Genesis 14:8 And there went out the king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, and the king of Admah, and the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela(the same is Zoar;) and they joined battle with them in the vale of Siddim;
  • 1 Samuel 17:8 And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me.
  • Job 28:19 The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, neither shall it be valued with pure gold.