Psalm 40

May All Who Seek You Rejoice!

This has been one of my favorite psalms to read so far, mainly because I see it as a psalm of humility.  David writes this as someone who realized that he is absolutely nothing without God in his life.  His life without God is "a slimy pit", from which God has lifted him and placed him on solid ground.  Once he has been lifted out of the mud, he sees how beautiful the world around him is.  This tells me that no matter what our sin or offenses, no matter what slimy pit we sink into, God is looking to pull us out.

How do we get God to pull us out of this pit?  How do we redeem ourselves from this sin?  We put aside our pride.  We turn from the false idols around us that steal our attention, and instead turn to God and sing His praises.  As David says, "none can compare to you", because he realizes what the greatness of God really means, and how superficial the rest of the world can be.  Like I said, this is a psalm of humility, and we, like David, often put our own pride, and our own needs, as our life's priority.  We are reminded that this is not God's priority.

My favorite phrase from this psalm is in verse 10, where he says "I will not hide your righteousness in my heart".  Just prior, David tells us that we don't need to offer any sacrifices to win God's favor; we only need to allow Him in our heart.  He then says that with God besides him, he proclaims that relationship to "the great assembly".  It's almost like not hiding your righteousness is the same as passing the peace, which we do in Christian worship.  Or course, that sharing of peace doesn't end once we leave worship.  That righteousness should be around us at all times.  How will people know we are followers of God?  Not by what we say, because words can be cheap.  We do it by the righteousness in our hearts, or in other words, by how much we love God and love others.

1 I waited patiently for the Lord;
    he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 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.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
    a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
    and put their trust in him.

4 Blessed is the one
    who trusts in the Lord,
who does not look to the proud,
    to those who turn aside to false gods.
5 Many, Lord my God,
    are the wonders you have done,
    the things you planned for us.
None can compare with you;
    were I to speak and tell of your deeds,
    they would be too many to declare.

6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—
    but my ears you have opened—
    burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.
7 Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—
    it is written about me in the scroll.
8 I desire to do your will, my God;
    your law is within my heart.”

9 I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly;
    I do not seal my lips, Lord,
    as you know.
10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
    I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help.
I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness
    from the great assembly.

11 Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord;
    may your love and faithfulness always protect me.
12 For troubles without number surround me;
    my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.
They are more than the hairs of my head,
    and my heart fails within me.
13 Be pleased to save me, Lord;
    come quickly, Lord, to help me.

14 May all who want to take my life
    be put to shame and confusion;
may all who desire my ruin
    be turned back in disgrace.
15 May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!”
    be appalled at their own shame.
16 But may all who seek you
    rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who long for your saving help always say,
    “The Lord is great!”

17 But as for me, I am poor and needy;
    may the Lord think of me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
    you are my God, do not delay.