Psalm 40

From out of the slimy pit, David has been pulled by God. In a psalm foreshadowing Jeremiah's experience in a muddy cistern, David recalls his rescue by the Lord from a situation so deep he didn't think he would ever get out of. We don't know what situation that was, but there are many times when we find ourselves in a slimy pit where we don't think we'll ever emerge. Sometimes it's because of our own sins and bad habits. Sometimes it's the pit of depression. At other times it's a series of circumstances, not of our own doing, which have us seemingly trapped. But David's testimony is that God has pulled him out of this mucky pit and placed him on solid ground.

Beginning in verse 4, David expands upon the life of one who trusts in the Lord. We are to trust in Him, not to the proud and worldly. We can see what He has done and knowing that He does not change, we can expect more of the same. He opens our ears (as v. 6) and allows us not only to hear with our ears, but also with our heart. As such, our lives and our speech should conform. At verse 9, we see that the words God has put in our hearts should not be covered up or denied. What a testimony to proclaim to the world!

Yet as we hit verse 11, we see that even though David is out of the pit, the troubles are not gone forever. Neither is David's sinfulness. Still David is unashamed to call on the Lord to vindicate him and bring glory to Himself.

In spite of our poor and needy circumstances, we are always in the sight of God who is our help and our deliverer.