Psalm 40:1–11 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 40:1–11 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry.
Verse 2He drew me up from the desolate pit, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.
Verse 3He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.
Verse 4Happy are those who make the Lord their trust, who do not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after false gods.
Verse 5You have multiplied, O Lord my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you. Were I to proclaim and tell of them, they would be more than can be counted.
Verse 6Sacrifice and offering you do not desire, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required.
Verse 7Then I said, "Here I am; in the scroll of the book it is written of me.
Verse 8I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart."
Verse 9I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; see, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O Lord.
Verse 10I have not hidden your saving help within my heart, I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation.
Verse 11Do not, O Lord, withhold your mercy from me; let your steadfast love and your faithfulness keep me safe forever.
Devotion
“I waited patiently,” the Psalmist declares, “from the top of my head to the tips of my toes, I remained fervently convinced that God alone would save me.” The one who prays these words expresses utter confidence and unflagging hope because of God’s deliverance. This is no trivial matter; the pit is not some minor boggy mess. This trauma threatened the person’s very existence. And oh!—in grand dramatic fashion, God has acted! Hearing such a desperate cry, God stooped down and plucked the Psalmist from death. God has granted a whole new life, a radical departure from the old. No wonder the Psalmist should stand there to sing God’s praises. How can the redeemed person hold back such great news? The truth cannot be hidden: When God acts so decisively and wondrously, and we respond in thanksgiving.
Prayer
Wonder-working God, you have incomparable plans for those whom you have rescued from the powers of sin and death. Work out your great purpose in us, and inspire us to proclaim the truth of your steadfast love and faithfulness to all your people. Amen.