Psalms 40 and 70 — I Waited Patiently
Introduction: Psalm 40 has some verses that relate to the coming Messiah, interspersed among the verses describing personal emotions of the human author. There are also other scripture passages closely related to verses in this psalm, that demonstrate the unity of scripture given to us by our triune God. The LORD opens up His Word to our hearts and minds, as described in Job 32:8 “But there is a spirit in man, and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.” 1 Peter 1 “10 Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, 11 searching what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them had signified when He testified beforehand of the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow.”
NOTE: All scripture passages used in this study are taken from the KJ21 version (King James 21st Century).
A — The Opening of the Psalm
Psalm 40 “1 I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined unto me and heard my cry. 2 He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock and established my goings. 3 And He hath put a new song in my mouth; even praise unto our God; many shall see it and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. 4 Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. 5 Many, O LORD my God, are Thy wonderful works which Thou hast done; and Thy thoughts which are directed toward us, they cannot be reckoned up in order unto Thee. If I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.”
Comments: The inscription for this psalm tells us this is a psalm of David, but the content does not reveal the time frame in David’s life that gave rise to the psalm. Peter tells us that God-honoring patience is defined by such circumstances as David faced. 1 Peter 2:20 “For what glory is it if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? But if when ye do well and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.” David then experienced the dramatic change as pictured by being removed from a horrible pit of mire and set upon rock solid footing. His desire was that many may see as a fearful thing, the awesome power of God that brought about such dramatic change, but that fear of such an awesome God is removed when the Lord becomes the central object of trust. David declares that all the glorious works of creation, or the thoughts the Lord has toward man, would be impossible for us to number. Isn’t that a great comparison to contemplate: as we see the huge multitude of the natural wonders created by the Lord, we then realize that his concern for us is also beyond adequate description.
B — A Messianic Reference in the Midst of This Psalm
Psalm 40 “6 Sacrifice and offering Thou didst not desire; mine ears hast Thou opened; burnt offering and sin offering hast Thou not required. 7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me: 8 I delight to do Thy will, O my God; yea, Thy law is within my heart. 9 I have preached righteousness in the great congregation; lo, I have not restrained my lips, O LORD, Thou knowest. 10 I have not hid Thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared Thy faithfulness and Thy salvation; I have not concealed Thy lovingkindness and Thy truth from the great congregation.”
Comments: Samuel admonished Saul for purposely disobeying then offering sacrifice. 1 Samuel 15:22 “Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.” Abraham became a prime example of faith for all who will place full trust in the Lord. Genesis 15:6 “And he believed in the LORD; and He accounted it to him for righteousness.” Romans 3:20 “Therefore by the deeds of the law, no flesh shall be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” James 2:26 “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” In Hebrews chapter 10 we find a direct reference to verses in Psalm 40. Hebrews 10 “5 When He cometh into the world, He saith, Sacrifice and offering Thou wouldest not have, but a body hast Thou prepared for Me. 7 Then said I, Lo, I come to do Thy will, O God. 10 By this will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” After his resurrection, Jesus verified that many references in the Old Testament scriptures foretold of him. Luke 24:44 “All things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and in the Prophets and in the Psalms concerning Me.”
C — The Closing of the Psalm
Psalm 40 “11 Withhold not Thou Thy tender mercies from me, O LORD; let Thy lovingkindness and Thy truth continually preserve me. 12 For innumerable evils have compassed me about; mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up. They are more than the hairs of mine head; therefore my heart faileth me. 13 Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me; O LORD, make haste to help me! 14 Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it. 16 Let all those that seek Thee rejoice and be glad in Thee; let those that love Thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified! 17 But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh of me. Thou art my help and my deliverer; do not tarry, O my God!”
Comments: The new song David had in the earlier verses was not a sign of elimination of all succeeding trials of the earthly life. Upon placing trust in the Lord, the believer is not immediately removed from the many evils that encompass all around in a fallen world. The psalmist confesses that he recognizes his own iniquities to be so innumerable that he is unable to look up, and his heart fails within. When others mock the believer’s faith, knowing that the Lord will repay their rebellion should keep believers from desiring to mete out the vengeance that rightfully belongs to God. The LORD be magnified! Admitting that we are poor and needy makes us far better willing to wait to receive our reward from the Lord’s riches in glory, because the Lord does indeed think about us. James 4:10 “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up.” Revelation 22 “20 Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. 21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”
D — Psalm 70 as a Reprise
Psalm 70 “1 Make haste, O God, to deliver me; make haste to help me, O LORD! 2 Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul; let them be turned backward and put to confusion that desire my hurt. 3 Let them be turned back as a reward for their shame that say, Aha, aha! 4 Let all those that seek Thee rejoice and be glad in Thee; and let such as love Thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified! 5 But I am poor and needy; make haste unto me, O God. Thou art my help and my deliverer; O LORD, make no tarrying.”
Comments: The last five verses of Psalm 40 are reproduced in book 2 of the Psalms as Psalm 70, with the inscription crediting David as the author, and a note indicating “to bring to remembrance.” Near the end of David’s life, two sons, first Absalom and then Adonijah, along with others who defected from the king, tried to wrest the monarchy from David. These verses become in Psalm 70, a set-aside portion of scripture that may have special meaning for trials in the latter years of the life of any believer.
Reflections in Prayer
My Lord and Savior, I can say with the psalmist that as I began to see the work of your salvation in my life, there was a new song of praise in my soul that I had never before experienced. Through the years I have shared with others, both through speaking and through writing, the work you have done for me. As I continue to study your written Word, I am increasingly convinced of the majesty of your creation and your boundless love for your children. I thank you Lord for the plan you had for my life even before my conception; and the intricacies of your plan from the beginning of creation, for the Savior of all men to share in our human frailty before becoming the once-for-all sacrifice for sin. What the law could not do, you have done for us, that we might be justified by a faith that lives. Through your Spirit Lord, keep alive in my heart and mind the fact that I am poor and needy, subject to fail again in the flesh, but you are my help and my deliverer! Let such as love your salvation say continually, “Let God be magnified!” Amen and amen.
Published 28 September 2009