A New Song in My Mouth (Psalm 40:1-8)

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.”

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This has long been one of my favorite psalms.   It is a psalm of praise for the Lord’s character and for what the Lord has done.  And chief among the deeds recounted in this Psalm is the personal saving of David.  David credits the Lord with lifting him out of the pit, putting his feet on solid ground, and giving him a song with which to praise the Lord and proclaim His goodness to others.

Why this this psalm such a favorite?  Because of the connection that I feel to David when I read and meditate on it.  As the Lord had done for David, so He has done for me.  He has very much lifted me from the muddy pit.   I won’t provide details in this brief devotion, but I’m thinking of a time in my life when I was certainly not walking with the Lord.  I’m thinking of times also times of intense crying out to Him.  But the Lord has been faithful.  He has heard my cries, has had mercy on me.  Not only saving and delivering me, but giving me new songs to sing, and the blessed privilege of proclaiming His goodness in the “great assembly.”

Here’s a rough recording of a song I wrote years ago reflecting on this Psalm:

https://soundcloud.com/truevinemusic-1/a-new-song-090212

So my prayer today is simply one of praise.  I am praising God for his acts of love and faithfulness to me throughout my life, and the privilege of being able to share His love and faithfulness with others – in word, and deed, and song.

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