Psalm 40

1 I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.

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.

3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the LORD.

4 Blessed is the man
who makes the LORD his trust,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods.

5 Many, O LORD my God,
are the wonders you have done.
The things you planned for us
no one can recount to you;
were I to speak and tell of them,
they would be too many to declare.

6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
but my ears you have pierced;
burnt offerings and sin offerings
you did not require.

7 Then I said, "Here I am, I have come—
it is written about me in the scroll.

8 I desire to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart."

9 I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly;
I do not seal my lips,
as you know, O LORD.

10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I speak of your faithfulness and salvation.
I do not conceal your love and your truth
from the great assembly.

11 Do not withhold your mercy from me, O LORD;
may your love and your truth always protect me.

12 For troubles without number surround me;
my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.
They are more than the hairs of my head,
and my heart fails within me.

13 Be pleased, O LORD, to save me;
O LORD, come quickly to help me.

14 May all who seek to take my life
be put to shame and confusion;
may all who desire my ruin
be turned back in disgrace.

15 May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!"
be appalled at their own shame.

16 But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation always say,
"The LORD be exalted!"

17 Yet I am poor and needy;
may the Lord think of me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
O my God, do not delay.

Many of us are familiar with the story of Saul. He was a king, chosen by God to lead the people of Israel. However, he disobeyed God and lost favor with Him. As a result, David was chosen by God to replace Saul.

1 Samuel 15:22 teaches us the important lesson to be learnt from Saul. "Samuel said, 'Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. '"

Psalm 40:6-8 reminds us of the same thing as well. God doesn't just want our sacrifices of time, money, etc (though it's good that we give to Him). But what He really desires are obedient children who will do His will.


Personally, I find myself sometimes only having partial obedience with regards to the things God wants me to do. However, clearly from the example of Saul, partial obedience is something the Lord despises. And it's the same as disobedience. I really need to pray against it.


Things to ponder
1. How obedient are you towards God? Give a rating of 1 to 10 (10 means most obedient).
2. How obedient are you towards your cell leader? Give a rating too.
3. What is one area that you find yourself not obedient to God in?
4. Pray and repent to the Lord. Ask God to give you a heart of obedience.


Click here for Pastor YC's reflection on Psalm 40