“I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord. Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord, who have no confidence in the proud or in those who worship idols. O Lord my God, you have performed many wonders for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. You have no equal. If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them. You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings. Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand— you don’t require burnt offerings or sin offerings. Then I said, “Look, I have come. As is written about me in the Scriptures: I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.” I have told all your people about your justice. I have not been afraid to speak out, as you, O Lord, well know. I have not kept the good news of your justice hidden in my heart; I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power. I have told everyone in the great assembly of your unfailing love and faithfulness. Lord, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me. Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me. For troubles surround me— too many to count! My sins pile up so high I can’t see my way out. They outnumber the hairs on my head. I have lost all courage. Please, Lord, rescue me! Come quickly, Lord, and help me. May those who try to destroy me be humiliated and put to shame. May those who take delight in my trouble be turned back in disgrace. Let them be horrified by their shame, for they said, “Aha! We’ve got him now!” But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, “The Lord is great!” As for me, since I am poor and needy, let the Lord keep me in his thoughts. You are my helper and my savior. O my God, do not delay.”
Psalms 40:1-17 NLT
David has always displayed an interesting relationship with his sin. While modern theology has us seeing it as a series of violations that necessarily break covenants and rules, with disastrous results, David’s theology is less stringent and rigid. Here he admits that his sin is abhorrent. He describes it as drowning him. He thinks of himself as trapped and stuck in it. Yet he also notes that God is stronger than it. This sentiment of faith is not merely a statement of God’s capacity and agency. It is a statement of his character and its resolve. It is from God’s good will toward the sinful man that David derives his praise and his new song. It is from this position that he assumes God’s word in into his heart. He is so emotionally transformed by God that he pledges to confirm his thought life to his scriptures. This is his only way out. This sentiment is echoed by Paul who claims that he is the worst sinner of them all, and that he can only boast in his weaknesses. Indeed David notes that he has no courage of his own. His courage is found only in the idea that God keeps him in his thoughts. This idea ought to be our source of hope as well. It ought not be our own righteousness in sanctification, but God’s continued merciful attention to us despite our sin. This should be the source of our “new song.”
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