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Psalm 40

Over the last week or more, I've read, re-read, researched and meditated on Psalm 40. Wow! God is so Good! Even how God lead me to this particular Psalm is a Wow to me. I started thinking about how God often uses music to communicate with me, and that it usually isn't by what most consider as Christian music that He gets my attention -- just by songs that have weaved their way into my life for the last 71 years. I suppose it is His way of reminding me that He was there all along. Thank You Lord!

So while I was thinking about this remarkable way in which God gets my attention, I revisited some songs that I knew He had lead me to in the past, and then I wondered to myself if there might be songs written and performed by contemporary, secular groups where they used Bible scriptures in their songs that I had not discovered yet. And with a quick google search a song by the band U2 popped up, entitled "40". The song incorporates some of the verses of Psalms 40.

And, true to how God works in my life, reading and meditating on Psalms 40, has lead me in and around other Books of The Bible and to Bible commentaries, and to more music and back again. I'll will probably add "responses" to this particular post sharing what truths God shared with me, but I wanted to share one of those things here.

Psalms 40:1 (KJV) I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

I read a Bible Commentary by David Guzik and he wrote this:
"The idea of David waiting on or for the LORD has been common, especially in the last few psalms (Psalm 25:5, 25:21, 27:14, 37:7, 37:9). In the previous psalm (39:7) David waited upon the LORD without immediate answer. Here, the answer is stated: He inclined to me, and heard my cry."

I know most of us usually have to wait upon The Lord -- wait to hear, wait to know, wait for directives, wait for peace to fill our heart, etc., but what David Guzik wrote really impressed upon me that even David (as in King David) waited, and waited and waited.

Then The Holy Spirit reminded:

James 1:3-4 (KJV)
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Romans 5:1-5 (KJV)
1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Back to David Guzik's Bible Commentary on Psalms 40:
He then wrote: "i. “I waited patiently, Heb. in waiting I waited; which doubling of the word notes that he waited diligently and earnestly, patiently and perseveringly, until God should please to help him.” (Poole)"

Here, Commentator David Guzik is quoting an earlier commentary by Matthew Poole. If I read this correctly, When David (as in King David) wrote "I waited patiently" in the original Hebrew it would more correctly be translated "In waiting I waited..."

Another Wow from me. Just because of the wording there, it sort of reminded me of:

Romans 4:17-18 (KJV)
17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.

Waiting patiently is the righteous way to wait. Inquiring of The Lord pleases Him, even if it is to ask "How long, Lord?" Remember, He loves you.

Commentator David Guzik also quoted a line from an earlier commentary by Charles Spurgeon:
"iii. “Think ye, brethren, might it not read — ‘I waited impatiently for the Lord,’ in the case of most of us?” (Spurgeon)"

So, I encourage you to invite The Holy Spirit to join you as you read Psalms 40 and see what He reveals to you and where He leads you.

And for your listening pleasure, I will link the song: "40" by the group/band U2 below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3z_LBNF_-xI





God bless you

Psalms 40: 1-17 (KJV)

1 I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

2 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.

3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.

4 Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

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.

6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.

7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,

8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.

9 I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O Lord, thou knowest.

10 I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.

11 Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O Lord: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.

12 For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me.

13 Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me: O Lord, make haste to help me.

14 Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.

15 Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha.

16 Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The Lord be magnified.

17 But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.

Psalm 40:1-5 (KJV)
1 I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
2 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.
3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.
4 Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
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.


David is showing us by example how to praise The Lord. He writes about having a new song in his heart, and that others will notice and be impressed to the point that they will want to know more. That is what a personal testimony of what Christ has done in a person's life can impact another. It is truly a God thing.

The new song is the refreshing and restoration we all need from God, especially when we've been weighed down by the stresses and oppression that this earthly life can throw at us.

Psalm 23: 1-6 (KJV)
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Blessed relief!

Makes ya wanna SHOUT, type of relief!

And then David recounts in his own heart and also shares with the reader how wonderful God is and how His thoughts are about and for us. It is good to take stock of all the blessings we have in this life and to God be the glory. Thank You Jesus!

I'm reminded of another story in The Bible about Jesus and the 10 men with leprosy:

Luke 17:12-19 (KJV)
12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:
13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.
15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,
16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?
18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.
19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

Give God The Father, God The Son and God The Holy Spirit honor with gratitude and praise.

Thank You, Father God Almighty! Thank You, Jesus!! Thank You, Holy Spirit!!!

God's Word is so very Good!




God bless you