How does Psalm 40:10 connect with the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20? Psalm 40:10 and Matthew 28:19-20—One Voice, One Mission “I have not hidden Your righteousness in my heart; I have spoken of Your faithfulness and salvation; I have not concealed Your loving devotion and truth from the great assembly.” — Psalm 40:10 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” — Matthew 28:19-20 Unfolding the Connection • Both passages center on openly declaring what God has done instead of keeping it private. • Psalm 40:10 reveals the psalmist’s refusal to “hide” or “conceal” God’s righteousness; Matthew 28:19-20 commands believers to “go” and “teach,” broadcasting the same righteousness to “all nations.” • The Old Testament voice of individual testimony (Psalm 40) foreshadows the New Testament mandate of global evangelism (Matthew 28). Shared Themes and Vocabulary 1. Revelation, not concealment – Psalm 40:10: “I have not hidden… I have not concealed.” – Matthew 28:19: “Go… make disciples… teaching them.” – Both stress openness; the psalmist models the outward life that Jesus later commissions. 2. Proclaiming righteousness and salvation – Psalm 40:10: “Your righteousness… Your faithfulness and salvation.” – Matthew 28:20: “Teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you” includes proclaiming the righteousness that comes through Christ (cf. Romans 1:16). 3. Public audience – Psalm 40:10: “the great assembly.” – Matthew 28:19-20: “all nations.” – The circle widens from Israel’s worship gathering to the world’s population. Inner Conviction Fuels Outer Commission • Psalm 40 portrays an overflow: because the psalmist treasures God’s deliverance (vv. 1-3), speaking becomes unavoidable (cf. Acts 4:20). • Jesus roots the Great Commission in His resurrection authority (Matthew 28:18) and His abiding presence (v. 20), giving believers the same inner certainty that compelled David. Old Testament Echoes of a New Testament Charge • Psalm 96:3 — “Declare His glory among the nations” anticipates Matthew 28. • Isaiah 12:4 — “Make His deeds known among the peoples” mirrors the psalmist’s resolve. • These texts knit Scripture into a single storyline: God’s people hear, believe, and then herald His works. Gospel Movement: From Heart to Mouth to World 1. Receive – Experience God’s righteousness and salvation personally (Psalm 40:1-3). 2. Reveal – Speak openly (Psalm 40:10). – Testify before the “assembly,” whether a congregation, neighborhood, or online forum (cf. 1 Peter 2:9). 3. Reproduce – Make disciples, baptize, teach (Matthew 28:19-20). – Rely on the Spirit’s power (Acts 1:8) and Christ’s presence. Practical Takeaways for Today • Let gratitude for personal deliverance energize evangelism. • Move from private devotion to public declaration, just as David did. • Use every gathering—family dinner, workplace break, church service—as a “great assembly.” • Embrace the global scope of Christ’s command, supporting missions, praying for unreached peoples, and going when He opens the door. • Trust the promise “I am with you always” when fears of rejection arise. Final Thought Psalm 40:10 supplies the heart; Matthew 28:19-20 supplies the marching orders. Together they call believers to a life where silent gratitude is never enough and the good news of Jesus Christ resounds from local assemblies to the ends of the earth. |
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