Psalm 40
Part 1 of 3
(Verses 1-5)
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 and put their trust in the Lord.
4 Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.
5 Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare.
Worship God for the things He Has Done
Regardless of what’s happening to us—good or bad—it always is to our benefit to look back and recall the goodness of the Lord. David recalls in these first few verse how the Lord delivered him from his enemies (including Saul). He waited a long time for this (noticed he didn’t just “wait” but he had to “wait patiently” for the LORD). He waited and the Lord took care of him.
Here’s a lesson to be learned here: be patient while God works His plans to fruition.
A quaint country preacher used verses 2–3 for a sermon text, and his “points” were:
Notice verse four. David is reaffirming that his hope and our hope is not found in those who are stuffed full of themselves or those who trust in false gods (which are not always objects made by hands, by the way). Instead, our blessing is in the Lord.
This is his version of Romans 8:28:
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,who have been called according to his purpose.
“We will remember. We will remember. We will remember the works of your hands. We will stop and give you praise for great is Thy faithfulness”
“We Will Remember”
Words and Music by Tommy Walker
© 2005 Doulos Publishing.
Life Meets Theology 