I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.

PSALMS 40:9KJV
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Psalms 40:9 (KJV)

What does Psalms 40:9 mean?

Psalms 40:9 describes the speaker openly declaring what is right and just before a large gathering, without holding back or keeping silent, and affirming that God knows this to be true. The verse highlights the speaker’s commitment to sharing a message about righteousness with many people, with honesty and openness before God.

In this psalm, David is speaking directly to the LORD, reflecting on how he has not hidden or kept quiet about God’s righteousness. The setting is a public one—“the great congregation”—which suggests a large assembly, possibly during worship or a festival. David’s words stress that he has been faithful in his role, not just inwardly but also outwardly, by speaking up about what is right in front of others.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 40:9

  • “preached” (בִּשַּׂרְתִּי, bis'sarti): This word often means “to bring good news” or “to proclaim,” not just to speak, but to announce something important and positive. Here, it highlights that David’s message about righteousness was shared as good news.
  • “righteousness” (צֶדֶק, tsedeq): This word means “what is right,” “justice,” or “uprightness.” David is not just talking about personal virtue, but about God’s standards and actions that are fair and just.
  • “great” (רַב, rav) and “congregation” (קָהָל, qahal): Together, these words point to a large assembly or community, emphasizing that David’s declaration was made publicly, not in private or to a small group.
  • “refrained” (כָּלָא, kala): This word means “to hold back” or “to restrain.” David is saying he did not keep his lips closed—he did not withhold the message.

Why Psalms 40:9 matters

  • This verse clarifies that David’s faithfulness involved public witness, not just private belief; he was open about God’s righteousness before many people.
  • The emphasis on not holding back (“I have not refrained my lips”) shows the importance of speaking truthfully and boldly, especially about what is right and just.
  • In the wider context of the psalm, this statement connects David’s personal experience of God’s help with his responsibility to share that experience with others, making his praise and testimony part of the community’s worship.

Where else these words appear

“refrained” Hebrew H3607 · used in 17 verses

  • Genesis 8:2 The fountains also of the deep and the windows of heaven were stopped, and the rain from heaven was restrained;
  • 1 Samuel 25:33 And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand.
  • Isaiah 43:6 I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;

“preached” Hebrew H1319 · used in 21 verses

  • 1 Samuel 4:17 And the messenger answered and said, Israel is fled before the Philistines, and there hath been also a great slaughter among the people, and thy two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is taken.
  • 2 Samuel 18:26 And the watchman saw another man running: and the watchman called unto the porter, and said, Behold another man running alone. And the king said, He also bringeth tidings.
  • Isaiah 40:9 O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!

“righteousness” Hebrew H6664 · used in 109 verses

  • Leviticus 19:15 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.
  • Psalms 58:1 To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David. Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?
  • Ecclesiastes 7:15 All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness.

“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.