Psalms 40:5
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 40:5
In this Psalm, David seems to be recounting a season of answered prayer and deliverance. Psalm 40 begins with a personal testimony: the Lord heard the psalmist’s cry, brought him up from the pit, and set his feet on solid ground. Verse 5 expands on the sheer magnitude of God’s works and thoughts, emphasizing that God is active, purposeful, and beyond human counting. The language of “wonderful works” (mystéria) and “thoughts…toward us” communicates personal, relational care—God’s plans are directed toward his people, not impersonal fate. The idea that these works cannot be numbered or arranged in order underscores both abundance and mystery: God’s deeds are plentiful, diverse, and sometimes beyond human comprehension. Culturally, ancient Israel prayed and looked for God’s intervention in national crises, personal danger, and daily needs. The verse anchors trust not in a ledger of actions but in God’s character—goodness, faithfulness, and wisdom. The phrasing “toward us-ward” signals relational proximity: a God who is active on behalf of his people.
This verse foregrounds God’s initiative and abundance. It highlights two key themes: divine generosity and divine sovereignty. God’s works are “wonderful,” pointing to divine excellence; his thoughts toward us reveal a personal, covenant-minded God who plans for our good (Jeremiah 29:11). The inability to number God’s works reminds believers that God’s activity exceeds human categories—he moves in history, creation, redemption, and daily mercy in countless ways. This sets up a posture of worship and gratitude rather than anxiety or calculation. Theologically, it also guards against reducing God to a few neat incidents; it invites awe at the immeasurable reach of God’s purposes. The verse thus helps bridge personal experience with grand biblical storytelling: our lives are knit into God’s large, ongoing narrative.
When you face trials or blessings, resist narrowing God’s work to what you can fit into a schedule or checklist. Keep a gratitude journal noting “wonderful works” you experienced—moments of mercy, opportunities, and small mercies. Let the abundance of God’s thoughts toward you shape trust rather than fear: even when you cannot map out every future, you can rest in a God who is attentively involved. Practically, you can set aside time for worship, gratitude, and prayer, acknowledging God’s vastness: “God, you have done so much more than I can count; teach me to depend on your plans.” Share stories with family or a small group about how God has moved in your life, reinforcing the message that God’s care is personal and surprising. This verse invites a posture of wonder and reliance—live with the assurance that God’s purposes toward you are generous and far beyond your own counting.
Cross-References: Psalm 33:11; Psalm 66:5; Psalm 92:5; Isaiah 46:9-10; Ephesians 3:20-21