Psalm 40 – Thanksgiving for God’s salvation and a lament
(Written by Yoong Yuen Soo)
Learn to be patient in prayer. Be confident, be actively waiting, and be watching, without wavering. God rescued David from many dangers and delivered him from the pit. Our Saviour rescued us from the pit, which is the abode of the dead. For His great salvation, we must be grateful and thankful to the Lord Jesus. He destroyed the power of death by rising from the dead. As believers, we are secure in the Lord.
Learn to be slaves of righteousness. In a series of actions, God delivered us from bondage to sin. Our Lord Jesus as the holy one experienced the awfulness of sin and horror of separation from God. He went to the pit to set free the prisoners of sin. Having been delivered from the bondage of sin, we belong to God.
As the Righteous One, Christ ascended to the highest heavens. He proclaimed the glad news of righteousness to the great congregation in heaven. Likewise, in our small assemblies on earth, we can tell of His righteousness, steadfastness, salvation, steadfast love, and faithfulness.
Lament over our frailty and many faults in a fallen world. Appeal to God for His mercies to lift us up. Ask for God’s steadfast love and faithfulness to preserve us.
When the enemies of God taunt us, cry to God. Plea to Him to deliver and to help us, to bring justice and to shame the oppressors.
May all rejoice in His great salvation, and say continually, “Great is the LORD!”
Let’s Read Psalm 40
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 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.”
9 I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly;
I do not seal my lips, Lord,
as you know.
10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help.
I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness
from the great assembly.
11 Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord;
may your love and faithfulness always protect me.
12 For troubles without number surround me;
my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.
They are more than the hairs of my head,
and my heart fails within me.
13 Be pleased to save me, Lord;
come quickly, Lord, to help me.
14 May all who want to take my life
be put to shame and confusion;
may all who desire my ruin
be turned back in disgrace.
15 May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!”
be appalled at their own shame.
16 But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who long for your saving help always say,
“The Lord is great!”
17 But as for me, I am poor and needy;
may the Lord think of me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
you are my God, do not delay.
Let’s Pray,
Lord, we thank you for Your great salvation. We pray for the poor and needy, that they will call upon You as their personal helper and deliverer. Lord Jesus, “Do not delay.” We submit to You, Your timing and Your will, not ours. Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!
This devotional was kindly contributed by Dr. Chow Li Sze and her channel Heavenly Devotion. You may find the channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/HeavenlyDevotion/videos
About the Heavenly Devotion channel
The Heavenly Devotion channel is dedicated to encouraging you to listen to Bible Scriptures and pray with the Scriptures. They are inspired by the call of service as expressed and exemplified by Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 9:12-15.
“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrew 4:12 NKJV)
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