“I waited patiently for the LORD”: a devotional on Psalm 40

Waiting is hard. Waiting for a job, a diagnosis, a child, a visa or an answer to prayer can feel endless. David knew that feeling. Psalm 40 opens with his testimony: “I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings” (Psalm 40:1-2, KJV).

Waiting patiently and a new song

The Hebrew phrase suggests waiting with expectation, not giving up. David kept hoping while he waited. God “inclined” to David, a picture of someone bending down to listen closely. The pit and miry clay describe a situation David could not escape alone, perhaps danger, sin or despair.

God set his feet on a rock, giving him stability after sinking in mud. “He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God.” Deliverance leads to worship.

Many shall see

“Many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.” David’s story becomes a witness to others. David says God’s thoughts toward his people are more than can be numbered. Verse 8 says, “I delight to do thy will, O my God.” Gratitude leads to obedience. Later in the psalm, David is again in trouble and prays for help. The life of faith includes repeated seasons of waiting.

While you wait, remember past deliverances and keep praying. Lord, I am waiting. Lift me from the pit, set my feet on a rock and give me a new song.

Jesus and Psalm 40

What new song has God given you after a time of waiting? The letter to the Hebrews quotes Psalm 40, “Lo, I come… to do thy will, O God”, and applies it to Jesus, who offered himself as the perfect sacrifice. Christians read the psalm as pointing beyond David to Christ. David did not keep his deliverance to himself. He told “the great congregation”, a reminder that testimony strengthens the faith of others.

David’s pit was deep and his clay was thick. The psalm he wrote afterwards became a new song for the many people who would later find themselves waiting in the same place.