Psalm 40:2
New International Version
He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.

New Living Translation
He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.

English Standard Version
He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.

Berean Standard Bible
He lifted me up from the pit of despair, out of the miry clay; He set my feet upon a rock, and made my footsteps firm.

King James Bible
He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.

New King James Version
He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps.

New American Standard Bible
He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the mud; And He set my feet on a rock, making my footsteps firm.

NASB 1995
He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm.

NASB 1977
He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay; And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm.

Legacy Standard Bible
He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, And He set my feet upon a high rock, He established my steps.

Amplified Bible
He brought me up out of a horrible pit [of tumult and of destruction], out of the miry clay, And He set my feet upon a rock, steadying my footsteps and establishing my path.

Christian Standard Bible
He brought me up from a desolate pit, out of the muddy clay, and set my feet on a rock, making my steps secure.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He brought me up from a desolate pit, out of the muddy clay, and set my feet on a rock, making my steps secure.

American Standard Version
He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay; And he set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.

Contemporary English Version
and pulled me from a lonely pit full of mud and mire. You let me stand on a rock with my feet firm,

English Revised Version
He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay; and he set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He pulled me out of a horrible pit, out of the mud and clay. He set my feet on a rock and made my steps secure.

Good News Translation
He pulled me out of a dangerous pit, out of the deadly quicksand. He set me safely on a rock and made me secure.

International Standard Version
He plucked me out of a pit of confusion, even out of the quicksand; he placed my feet on a rock and established my steps.

Majority Standard Bible
He lifted me up from the pit of despair, out of the miry clay; He set my feet upon a rock, and made my footsteps firm.

NET Bible
He lifted me out of the watery pit, out of the slimy mud. He placed my feet on a rock and gave me secure footing.

New Heart English Bible
He also brought me up out of a pit of tumult, out of the miry clay; and he set my feet on a rock, making my steps secure.

Webster's Bible Translation
He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.

World English Bible
He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay. He set my feet on a rock, and gave me a firm place to stand.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And He causes me to come up "" From a pit of desolation—from mire of mud, "" And He raises up my feet on a rock, "" He is establishing my steps.

Young's Literal Translation
And He doth cause me to come up From a pit of desolation -- from mire of mud, And He raiseth up on a rock my feet, He is establishing my steps.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will bring me up from the pit of destruction, from the clay of mire, and he will set my feet upon a rock, preparing my goings.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he heard my prayers, and brought me out of the pit of misery and the mire of dregs. And he set my feet upon a rock, and directed my steps.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he heard my prayers and he led me out of the pit of misery and the quagmire. And he stationed my feet upon a rock, and he directed my steps.

New American Bible
Draws me up from the pit of destruction, out of the muddy clay, Sets my feet upon rock, steadies my steps,

New Revised Standard Version
He drew me up from the desolate pit, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the mire of destruction, and set my feet upon a rock and established my goings.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he brought me up from the pit of misery and from the mire of destruction; he set my feet upon a rock and he has made my ways ready.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
He brought me up also out of the tumultuous pit, out of the miry clay; And He set my feet upon a rock, He established my goings.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he brought me up out of a pit of misery, and from miry clay: and he set my feet on a rock, and ordered my goings aright.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
I Waited Patiently for the LORD
1For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; He inclined to me and heard my cry. 2He lifted me up from the pit of despair, out of the miry clay; He set my feet upon a rock, and made my footsteps firm. 3He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.…

Cross References
Psalm 69:14-15
Rescue me from the mire and do not let me sink; deliver me from my foes and out of the deep waters. / Do not let the floods engulf me or the depths swallow me up; let not the Pit close its mouth over me.

Psalm 103:4
who redeems your life from the Pit and crowns you with loving devotion and compassion,

Psalm 18:16-19
He reached down from on high and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters. / He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from foes too mighty for me. / They confronted me in my day of calamity, but the LORD was my support. ...

Psalm 27:5
For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His shelter; He will conceal me under the cover of His tent; He will set me high upon a rock.

Psalm 30:1-3
A Psalm. A song for the dedication of the temple. Of David. I will exalt You, O LORD, for You have lifted me up and have not allowed my foes to rejoice over me. / O LORD my God, I cried to You for help, and You healed me. / O LORD, You pulled me up from Sheol; You spared me from descending into the Pit.

Psalm 116:8-9
For You have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling. / I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.

Isaiah 38:17
Surely for my own welfare I had such great anguish; but Your love has delivered me from the pit of oblivion, for You have cast all my sins behind Your back.

Isaiah 42:7
to open the eyes of the blind, to bring prisoners out of the dungeon and those sitting in darkness out from the prison house.

Jeremiah 38:6-13
So they took Jeremiah and dropped him into the cistern of Malchiah, the king’s son, which was in the courtyard of the guard. They lowered Jeremiah with ropes into the cistern, which had no water but only mud, and Jeremiah sank down into the mud. / Now Ebed-melech the Cushite, a court official in the royal palace, heard that Jeremiah had been put into the cistern. While the king was sitting at the Gate of Benjamin, / Ebed-melech went out from the king’s palace and said to the king, ...

Lamentations 3:55-57
I called on Your name, O LORD, out of the depths of the Pit. / You heard my plea: “Do not ignore my cry for relief.” / You drew near when I called on You; You said, “Do not be afraid.”

Jonah 2:6
To the roots of the mountains I descended; the earth beneath me barred me in forever! But You raised my life from the pit, O LORD my God!

Matthew 7:24-25
Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. / The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because its foundation was on the rock.

Matthew 14:29-31
“Come,” said Jesus. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. / But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” / Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and took hold of Peter. “You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?”

Luke 1:79
to shine on those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”

John 5:24
Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment. Indeed, he has crossed over from death to life.


Treasury of Scripture

He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet on a rock, and established my goings.

brought

Psalm 18:16,17
He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters…

Psalm 71:20
Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.

Psalm 86:13
For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.

horrible pit [heb.

Matthew 13:50
And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

the miry

Psalm 69:2,14,15
I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me…

Jeremiah 38:6-12
Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the son of Hammelech, that was in the court of the prison: and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon there was no water, but mire: so Jeremiah sunk in the mire…

Lamentations 3:53-55
They have cut off my life in the dungeon, and cast a stone upon me…

set

Psalm 27:5
For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.

Psalm 61:2
From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

Matthew 7:24,25
Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: …

established

Psalm 17:5
Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.

Psalm 18:36
Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.

Psalm 37:23
The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

Jump to Previous
Clay Deep Desolate Destruction Drew Earth Established Feet Firm Footsteps Goings Horrible Lifted Making Miry Mud Pit Rock Secure Soft Stand Steps Sticky Tumultuous Waste
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Clay Deep Desolate Destruction Drew Earth Established Feet Firm Footsteps Goings Horrible Lifted Making Miry Mud Pit Rock Secure Soft Stand Steps Sticky Tumultuous Waste
Psalm 40
1. The benefit of confidence in God
6. Obedience is the best sacrifice
11. The sense of David's evils inflames his prayer














He lifted me up
This phrase signifies a divine intervention where God actively rescues the psalmist from a dire situation. The Hebrew root for "lifted" is "עלה" (alah), which conveys the idea of ascending or being brought to a higher place. This imagery is powerful, suggesting not just a physical elevation but a spiritual and emotional uplifting. In the historical context of ancient Israel, being lifted up by God was a common metaphor for deliverance and salvation, reflecting God's power to elevate His people from despair to hope.

out of the pit of destruction
The "pit of destruction" is a vivid metaphor for a place of deep despair or danger. The Hebrew word for "pit" is "בור" (bor), often used to describe a cistern or a dungeon, symbolizing entrapment and helplessness. "Destruction" comes from the Hebrew "שאֹון" (shaon), meaning tumult or ruin. This phrase paints a picture of being trapped in chaos and peril, a situation from which only divine intervention can rescue. Historically, pits were used as prisons or places of death, emphasizing the severity of the psalmist's plight.

out of the miry clay
"Miry clay" refers to a slippery, unstable ground, symbolizing uncertainty and danger. The Hebrew "טיט" (tit) for "clay" suggests a sticky, muddy substance that ensnares and immobilizes. This imagery conveys a sense of being stuck in a situation with no human means of escape. In biblical times, clay was a common material, but when mixed with water, it became treacherous, representing life's trials that can overwhelm and entrap us without God's help.

He set my feet upon a rock
This phrase contrasts the previous imagery of instability with one of security and stability. The Hebrew word for "rock" is "סלע" (sela), symbolizing strength, permanence, and protection. In the ancient Near East, rocks were often seen as places of refuge and safety. By setting the psalmist's feet upon a rock, God provides a firm foundation, illustrating His role as a steadfast protector and guide in the believer's life.

and made my footsteps firm
The final phrase emphasizes the transformation from instability to security. The Hebrew root "כון" (kun) for "firm" means to establish or make secure. This suggests that God not only rescues but also ensures a stable path forward. In the broader scriptural context, this reflects the biblical theme of God guiding and directing the steps of the righteous, ensuring that their journey is secure and purposeful. This assurance of divine guidance and stability is a source of great comfort and inspiration for believers.

(2) Horrible pit.--The rendering of the margin, "pit of noise," takes shaon in its primary sense, as in Isaiah 17:12, Psalm 65:7, and the idea of a noise of rushing water suits this passage. Most commentators, however, take it here in the sense the cognate bears in Psalm 35:8, "destruction." The LXX. and Vulg. have "misery."

Miry clay.--The word translated "clay" (comp. Psalm 69:2) is from a root meaning to boil up, or ferment. (One of its derivatives means "wine.") Hence "froth," or "slime." LXX., ilus; Vulg., f?x. A verse of R. Browning's perhaps expresses the poet's image:--

"It frothed by,

A black eddy, bespate with flakes and fumes." . . .

Verse 2. - He brought me up also out of an horrible pit; literally, a pit of tumult or uproar, which is variously explained. Some imagine a pit with rushing water at the bottom of it, but such pits are scarcely known in Palestine. Others a pit which is filled with noise as a warrior, with crash of arms and amid the shouts of enemies, falls into it. But pits, though used in hunting, were not employed in warfare. The explanation that שׁאון here is to be taken in the secondary sense of "destruction" or "misery," seems to me preferable (see the Septuagint, ἐκ λάκκου ταλαιπωρίας). Out of the miry clay (comp. Psalm 69:2, 14). Such "clay "would be frequently found at the bottom of disused cisterns. And set my feet upon a rock; i.e. upon solid ground, where I had a firm footing. And established my goings; literally, and make my steps firm (comp. Psalm 17:5; Psalm 18:36; Psalm 94:18).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
He lifted me up
וַיַּעֲלֵ֤נִי ׀ (way·ya·‘ă·lê·nî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

from the pit
מִבּ֥וֹר (mib·bō·wr)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 953: A pit, cistern, well

of destruction,
שָׁאוֹן֮ (šā·’ō·wn)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7588: A roar (of waters, etcetera), din, crash, uproar

out of the miry
הַיָּ֫וֵ֥ן (hay·yā·wên)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3121: Dregs, mud

clay;
מִטִּ֪יט (miṭ·ṭîṭ)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2916: Mud, clay, calamity

He set
וַיָּ֖קֶם (way·yā·qem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand

my feet
רַגְלַ֗י (raḡ·lay)
Noun - fdc | first person common singular
Strong's 7272: A foot, a step, the pudenda

upon
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

a rock,
סֶ֥לַע (se·la‘)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5553: A craggy rock

[and] made my footsteps
אֲשֻׁרָֽי׃ (’ă·šu·rāy)
Noun - feminine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 838: Step, going

firm.
כּוֹנֵ֥ן (kō·w·nên)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3559: To be erect


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OT Poetry: Psalm 40:2 He brought me up also out (Psalm Ps Psa.)
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