Psalm 40
Pastor Mark Hudson
Here are two outlines for Psalm 40. The first by Kidner.
1-10 Waiting Rewarded
11-17 Waiting Renewed
Now notice John Stott’s outline.
1-10 An account of past deliverance
11-17 A prayer for present help
The waiting we find in verse one needs something like ‘patiently’ (ESV or NIV) or ‘waited, waited’ (NEB), ‘intently’ (NASB). This is not a passively waiting but this waiting is intentionally, expecting help. This person is in a tough place. His steps are a slippery place, yet he wants to be in a secure spot. God has heard his cry and when God sees or hears, He acts. This psalmist is praising God by putting a new song in his mouth. We do not know if this is a brand-new song, a previously known song that has received new purpose, or what ‘new’ exactly means. Whatever the sense, his song is attracting others to trust in God.
The blessed person trusts in God, not in those who are proud and go astray after lies. Once again, we question if this is about ancient Israel or our day. He could be describing our own age. The Psalmist, like all who truly praise God, speak truth about God and worship God since there is no one that ‘can compare with You!’ Your theology in enhanced when you worship, and the intensity of your worship increases the more your theology is correct. Theology and worship go hand in hand. But take one away and that will reveal a defect in the other.
As the author ponders more about God, the praise keeps piling up. The author can’t stop praising God once starting on all the goodness and wonder of God. As he is worshipping God, his attention is turned toward the sacrificial system. This is a tricky wicket for some. The author would certainly affirm the need for obedience in terms of God-ordained worship. Yet, in verse 6, the author stresses listening or obeying God’s word. Look at the phrase in 40:6, “You have given me an open ear’ (ESV). The notes says, ‘ears you have dug for me.’ NASB has ‘my ears Thou hast opened’ while the note says ‘dug; or possibly, pierced.’ Many has looked at this verse and gone to Ex 21:6 where a slave wants to stay with his master and the master pierces his one ear with a sharp awl. Yet the word in Ps 40 is a different verb than Ex. 21:6 and both ears are mentioned in Ps 40. The sense seems to be that God has opened (or dug out) his ears so he can listen better. So, if digging out the ears implies better listening, then fundamentally what God wants is for us to listen to His word. There is a type of passivity that is central to our faith.
Notice in the next few verses, a negative glance is paid to sacrifices but positive affirmation for the written word, delighting in God’s will, and keeping the written law on our heart. This seems to affirm that listening to God’s word is key for sanctification. Piercing the ear signifying submission is not a radical departure of the meaning of digging out the ears but does not seem to be the point. Not only is listening to God but the completion of being thankful is to tell others. In verses 9-10, the telling seems to be in the confines of the worshipping community. This does not preclude telling others outside the believing community but that is where the telling primarily occurs.
Once again, the Psalmist confesses his own sins. This is a common thread throughout the Scripture: saints confessing their sins to God. In the Psalms we often see saints asking for help in times of trouble. Sometimes the trouble is from others and other times trouble comes from our own sinful nature as well as others. Wherever the affliction originates, believers continue to look to God for deliverance.
The author is well aware that there are enemies who want nothing more than to see him ‘brought to dishonor.’ Some ‘seek to snatch away my life’ he says and they ‘delight in my hurt.’ These are true enemies. He may even know their names. He certainly knows what they are saying or planning. These are the ones who say with glee, ‘Aha, Aha’ when the author trips up. Oh, how they love his misfortune.
The author has another target audience in mind: the believing community. The author is not interested in his own vindication. He is motivated by how others see and worship God. He wants other believers to ‘rejoice and be glad in You.’ As for himself, he is content to admit that ‘I am poor and need, but the Lord takes thought of me.’ That is not a bad place to be.
Dear heavenly Father, what a great thing for us that we can say, ‘You are my help and my deliverer.’ Who could be a better help than One who has all the resources of this world and infinity under His control? You deliver us when we don’t deserve Your help. Please dig out or open our ears so the word of God will lay heavy on us and not sit lightly upon our hearts. Do good to us so others will trust You more. May Jesus Christ be praised. Amen.