Faithful God

OPENING PRAYER:

“Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest” (Matt. 21:9).

READ: Psalm 40

For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

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.[b] 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[c]— burnt offerings and sin offerings[d] you did not require. 7 Then I said, “Here I am, I have come— it is written about me in the scroll.[e] 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.

Footnotes

[a] Psalm 40:1 In Hebrew texts 40:1-17 is numbered 40:2-18.

[b] Psalm 40:4 Or to lies

[c] Psalm 40:6 Hebrew; some Septuagint manuscripts but a body you have prepared for me

[d] Psalm 40:6 Or purification offerings

[e] Psalm 40:7 Or come / with the scroll written for me

Psalm 40

REFLECT:

There are a lot of songs about God’s faithfulness – sing or say the words of your favorite!

David wrote this psalm as he faced many troubles, apparently caused by his own sin (v 12). We don’t know the exact context, but he is clearly waiting and hoping for deliverance (vs 11,13).

If you were to stop reading at verse 10, you’d think David’s troubles were all in the past. He describes how God heard him (v 1) and delivered him (v 2). He talks about singing God’s praises (v 3), doing his will (v 8) and telling others about him (vs 9,10). It doesn’t sound like the song of someone whose life is under threat (v 14) and whose heart is failing because he is overwhelmed by sin and evil (v 12). But it is.

I don’t think David is trying to twist God’s arm, trying to force the Lord to rescue him because of the past record of either of them. No, David is rehearsing to himself God’s goodness and faithfulness. At this time, again in desperate need, he is reminding himself of how God has delivered him previously. When life is hard, let’s look back on the ways God has intervened in our lives in the past, instead of focusing on our troubles and feeling as if God has abandoned us. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). We stand on a rock (v 2b).

APPLY:

Take time to remember some specific instances of God’s goodness to you in the past. Praise him!

CLOSING PRAYER:

Patient One, engulf me in your love and fill my heart with new gratitude and praise.

Previous Next