The Richness Of God’s Blessings

Psalm 40:1-17

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.

“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.  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.” (Psalm 40:1-3)

David describes his experience.  He waited patiently for the Lord.  He didn’t get upset and quit because things didn’t happen when he thought they should, and God answered his prayers.  David had been in position where it looked like there was no hope and destruction was sure, but God had brought him to a place where he was out of danger able to function freely.  He had given a sense of joy so that he was singing and praising God, and it was being a testimony to many others to turn them to God. 

“Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.” (Psalm 40:4)

As a result of his experience, David can state with assurance that the person who places their trust in God, obeying his commands instead of depending on the leaders who think they can control everything and make their own rules or the ones who listen to liars for guidance. 

“Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.  Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. “ (Psalm 40:5-6)

God has blessed in ways we don’t even recognize so that we can thank him for them.  It would be impossible to recount all of them to God.   He does those things because he loves us, and doesn’t demand sacrifices and offerings to get his favor.  All he wants is our obedience because we love him. 

“Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.  I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.  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.” (Psalm 40:7-10)

As He understood what God wanted, David committed himself to doing what God wanted, as described in the scriptures.  He had learned the commandments by heart, teaching them to all the people around him boldly.  He had done his best to make sure everyone knew what God had done for him and what he expected from the people. 

“Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.  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.  Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me.  Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.  Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha.” (Psalm 40:11-15)

God has made wonderful promises to those who obey him, and David asked that God honor his promise because he had tried to obey, in spite of numerous lapses.  He was aware that God was under no obligation to fulfill those promises because he had failed so often, Just asking that God bless him anyway.  He specifically asked that those who sought to destroy him be stopped. 

“Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.” (Psalm 40:16)

He prays that all those who love the Lord and his salvation be continually aware of God’s greatness. 

“But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.” (Psalm 40:17)

When David thought about what he was like, he was amazed that despite all his failures, God took an interest in him.  He went out of his way to protect and encourage Him.  He asks that God not delay his response.