Psalm 40 is a testimony from David, wherein he shares his struggles, declares God’s faithfulness and then prays to the Lord for continued help.
“I waited patiently for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
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.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
and put their trust in him.”
(Psalm 40:1-3)
There is a cause and effect demonstrated here. David shares his new song of praise to God that came out of his struggle (the cause), and then many see and fear the Lord, and put their trust in him (the effect).
When we gather together for a River Sunday, the congregation has the opportunity for the entire service to testify about the Lord’s work in their life, and this testimony produces an invitation from the Holy Spirit to participate in praising God for his works and thereby increases our ability to see him, fear him and put our trust in him. The psalmist continues with this:
“I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly;
I do not seal my lips, Lord,
as you know.
I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help.
I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness
from the great assembly.”
(verses 9-10)
“But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who long for your saving help always say,
‘The Lord is great!’”
(verse 16)
In this psalm, David keeps interchanging declarations of hope and praise with more prayers and requests for help. I invite you to bring your testimonies of God’s work in your lives this week, so we can rejoice with you and continue with you in prayer for more help, all declaring together “The Lord is great!”