Psalm 40:1-11
40:1 I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard
my cry.
40:2 He drew me up from the desolate pit, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a
rock, making my steps secure.
40:3 He 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.
40:4 Happy are those who make the LORD their trust, who do not turn to the proud, to those
who go astray after false gods.
40:5 You 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.
40:6 Sacrifice and offering you do not desire, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt
offering and sin offering you have not required.
40:7 Then I said, "Here I am; in the scroll of the book it is written of me.
40:8 I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart."
40:9 I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; see, I have not
restrained my lips, as you know, O LORD.
40:10 I 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.
40:11 Do not, O LORD, withhold your mercy from me; let your steadfast love and your
faithfulness keep me safe forever.
Okay, continuing on with my "Lectionary Psalms / Prayer of Jabez" sermon series (isn't anybody gonna accuse me of gross exegetical malpractice?), this one relates to "Enlarge My Territory". In the Prayer of Jabez book, that's taken to mean (roughly) 'increase my sphere of influence for ministering the gospel'.
I see the parallel here in what the psalmist is doing in the beginning verses (proclaiming God's work in the psalmist's life). I see it
expanding in what is happening in the later verses... speaking to the great congregation, unrestrained lips, etc.
I think this is a classic example of "testifying" -- sharing the great things God has done.
BTW, some of you might want to make reference to the song "40" by U2. The lyrics are lifted almost directly from Psalm 40, and they use to end all their concerts with the song, which is a cry of great longing "How long, to sing this song?"
-- Judge Redd
Heh, Judge, thanks for your insight. I, too, am preaching this psalm this week --"Out of the Miry Bog". Where might I go to get the words to the song by U2.
Blessings and more later, Karin in Wilmington DE
Judge, thanks for your comments. I, too, am preaching on Psalm 40. ["Out of the Miry Bog"] Where might I find the words to U2's song "40"? Thanks for any help you can give. Blessings, Karin in Wilmington
The U2 references are interesting.
Did anyone notice the reference to Exocus 21:6 and Deuteronomy 15:17? These are the passages concerning the ear piercing of slaves. M. Soards commentary series, "Preaching the Revised Common Lectionary," notes that this psalm is about thanksgiving. I've been mulling over the "Joy" or "thanksgiving" of being a servant of God. Notice in the Ex and Dt passages the the ear is pierced when the slave/servant CHOOSES to remain a slave/servant. It is used as a mark to identify the person as a servant of God. Maybe the image of one beign a slave to God is a bit of a stretch. Servant is softer term.
Any suggestions before Friday night?
seloftis in NC
revstani, thanks so much for your help!i'm burning the midnight oil on this one! peace, karin
I plan on doing a three point sermon using title, "Patience to Pray, Patience to Obey, Patience to Say". Pray & obey are pretty much self explanatory. "Say" refers to faith sharing. Anyone have some good illustrations on any of those three points? -- Rich in Bama
Well, I'm not writing a sermon on this psalm, but I absolutely love it. Anytime I need a "pick me up" I read Psalm 40. God is good.
