Psalm 40:1 I waited patiently for the LORD; He turned to me and heard my cry.
The imagery in verse 2 really grabs my imagination. I picture a slimy pit of Shrek magnitude—putrid, nasty, disgusting. Flies, maggots, death, decay. And verse 1 leads me to understand that I got myself into this mess. And now I’m crying to God, waiting patiently for Him to rescue me. Am I waiting patiently because I know I deserve to be in this pit, because I chose this pit, even though I now realize that I do not wish to be here?
Psalm 40:2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
And God, my precious Savior, doesn’t waggle His finger and say, “I told you so.” He doesn’t shake His head and leave me to my misery. He goes into the slimy, awful, disgusting pit. For me. He lowers Himself, dirties Himself, for me. And not only does He rescue me from the pit, He also puts my feet on solid ground and puts a new song—a hymn of praise to Him, for Him, because of Him—in my heart.
Psalm 40:3a He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God….
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for hearing me and rescuing me, even when my messes are my own fault, even when I climb into a slimy pit of my own volition. Help me, Lord, to cling to You, to sing to You a new song, a hymn of praise. Draw me closer. Amen.
Psalm 40:3b …Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in Him.
Have a blessed day.