Psalm 40

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PSALM 40
For the Pure and Shining One
A song of poetic praise by King David

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I waited and waited
and waited some more,

patiently,

knowing God would come through for me.
Then, at last, he bent down and listened to my cry.
He stooped down to lift me out of danger
from the desolate pit I was in,
out of the muddy mess I had fallen into.
Now he’s lifted me up into a firm, secure place
and steadied me while I walk along his ascending path.

A new song for a new day rises up in me
every time I think about how he breaks through for me!
Lord, our God,
no one can compare with you.
Such wonderful works and miracles
are all found with you!
And you think of us all the time
with your countless expressions of love—
far exceeding our expectations!
It’s not sacrifices

that really move your heart.
Burnt offerings, sin offerings—
those aren’t what bring you joy.
But when you open my ears
and speak to me,
I become your willing servant,
your prisoner of love for life.
O Lord, our God,
no one can compare with you.
Such wonderful works and miracles are all found with you!

And you think of us all the time
with your countless expressions of love—
far exceeding our expectations!
So I said, “Here I am! I’m coming to you as a sacrifice,
for in the prophetic scrolls of your book
you have written about me.

I delight to fulfill your will, my God,
for your living words are written upon the pages of my heart.”
I tell everyone everywhere the truth of your righteousness.

And you know I haven’t held back in telling the message to all.

I don’t keep it a secret or hide the truth.

I preach of your faithfulness and kindness,
proclaiming your extravagant love to the largest crowd I can find!
Keep me in your truth and let your compassion overflow to me
no matter what I face.

Evil surrounds me; problems greater than I can solve
come one after another.
Without you, I know I can’t make it.

My sins are so many!
I’m so ashamed to lift my face to you.
For my guilt grabs me and stings my soul
until I am weakened and spent.

Please, Lord! Come quickly and rescue me!

Take pleasure in showing me your favor and restore me.
Let all who seek my life be humiliated!
Let them be confused and ashamed, God.
Scatter those who wish me evil;
they just want me dead.
Scoff at every scoffer
and cause them all to be utter failures.
Let them be ashamed and horrified
by their complete defeat.

But let all who passionately seek you
erupt with excitement and joy
over what you’ve done!
Let all your devoted lovers rejoice continually in the Savior, saying,
“How great and glorious is our God!”
Lord, in my place of weakness and need, I ask again:

Will you come and help me?
I know I’m always in your thoughts.
You are my true Savior and hero,
so don’t delay to deliver me now,
for you are my God.
U2 - 40
This was the last song written for the album "War". They had already used an extra week of studio time and needed one more song in a hurry, so Bono opened a bible, read from Psalm 40 of Psalms of David, and they put it to music.
The last song on War, it invokes the first track, "Sunday Bloody Sunday" with the refrain "How long must we sing this song."
At a concert in Chicago on April 29, 1987, Bono said: "This is a song that when we were being thrown out of the studio... we spent ten minutes writing this next song, ten minutes recording it, ten minutes mixing it, ten minutes playing it back, and that's nothing to do with why it's called '40.'"
U2 closed most of their concerts in the '80s with this. They did so on many of their 2005 shows as well. Source: https://www.songfacts.com/facts/u2/40
"He has raised me
from the pit
and set me on high." Psalm 40:2
Psalm 40:2 by John Darnielle is an intense reflection on sin and degradation. The chorus keeps returning to Psalm 40:2
The song uses the form of a Psalm in its intensity and posture towards God "Lord, send me a mechanic if I'm not beyond repair."
On The Mountain Goats 2009 Album “Life of the World to Come.” each track referred directly to biblical verses.
Psalm 40

1
Summary
Psalm 40 expresses a deep feeling of sadness and despair, longing for solace and comfort from God.
-
Trust in the Lord
Joyous hope, secure in faith
Peaceful, contented heart
-
General Emotions in Psalm 40
Joy Gratitude Hope Relief Devotion Humility Praise Adoration Trust Contentment
-
Specific
Verse 1: Joy, Trust
Verse 2: Gratitude, Hope Verse 3: Appreciation, Peace Verse 4: Humility, Contentment
Verse 5: Awe, Wonder
Verse 6: Longing, Yearning
Verse 7: Desperation, Fear
2
The Most Listened to Songs inspired by Psalm 40 on Spotify
40 - U2
Spotify 9,225,247

Psalm 40:2
The Mountain Goats
Spotify 1,281,000

Out of the Mud (Psalm 40:1) Seeds Family Worship
Spotify 237,000

Psalm 40 (A New Song)
New Hope Oahu
Spotify 187,000

I Cannot Hide My Love (Psalm 40) Enter the Worship Circle Spotify 111,000

Psalm 40
Poor Bishop Hooper
Spotify 87,000
3
Questions
Remembering: Who wrote Psalm 40?
Understanding: What is the overall message of Psalm 40?
What is the theme of Psalm 40?
Applying: How can Psalm 40 be used to encourage someone today? How can the message of Psalm 40 be applied to our daily lives?
Analyzing: What literary devices are used in Psalm 40? What are the different interpretations of Psalm 40?
Evaluating: What are the strengths and weaknesses of Psalm 40? What are the implications of Psalm 40 for modern society? Creating: What new perspectives can be gained from Psalm 40? How can Psalm 40 be used to inspire new art and music?

For the Pure and Shining OneA song of poetic praise by King David PrayScroll You may like to Press Play to hear these songs inspired by Psalm 40

I waited and waited

and waited some more,

patiently,

knowing God would come through for me.

Then, at last, he bent down and listened to my cry.

He stooped down to lift me out of danger

from the desolate pit I was in,

out of the muddy mess I had fallen into.

Now he’s lifted me up into a firm, secure place

and steadied me while I walk along his ascending path.

A new song for a new day rises up in me

every time I think about how he breaks through for me!

Lord, our God,

no one can compare with you.

Such wonderful works and miracles

are all found with you!

And you think of us all the time

with your countless expressions of love—

far exceeding our expectations!

It’s not sacrifices

that really move your heart.

Burnt offerings, sin offerings—

those aren’t what bring you joy.

But when you open my ears

and speak to me,

I become your willing servant,

your prisoner of love for life.

O Lord, our God,

no one can compare with you.

Such wonderful works and miracles are all found with you!

And you think of us all the time

with your countless expressions of love—

far exceeding our expectations!

So I said, “Here I am! I’m coming to you as a sacrifice,

for in the prophetic scrolls of your book

you have written about me.

I delight to fulfill your will, my God,

for your living words are written upon the pages of my heart.”

I tell everyone everywhere the truth of your righteousness.

And you know I haven’t held back in telling the message to all.

I don’t keep it a secret or hide the truth.

I preach of your faithfulness and kindness,

proclaiming your extravagant love to the largest crowd I can find!

Keep me in your truth and let your compassion overflow to me

no matter what I face.

Evil surrounds me; problems greater than I can solve

come one after another.

Without you, I know I can’t make it.

My sins are so many!

I’m so ashamed to lift my face to you.

For my guilt grabs me and stings my soul

until I am weakened and spent.

Please, Lord! Come quickly and rescue me!

Take pleasure in showing me your favor and restore me.

Let all who seek my life be humiliated!

Let them be confused and ashamed, God.

Scatter those who wish me evil;

they just want me dead.

Scoff at every scoffer

and cause them all to be utter failures.

Let them be ashamed and horrified

by their complete defeat.

But let all who passionately seek you

erupt with excitement and joy

over what you’ve done!

Let all your devoted lovers rejoice continually in the Savior, saying,

“How great and glorious is our God!”

Lord, in my place of weakness and need, I ask again:

Will you come and help me?

I know I’m always in your thoughts.

You are my true Savior and hero,

so don’t delay to deliver me now,

for you are my God.

U2 - 40

"He has raised me

from the pit

and set me on high." Psalm 40:2

Psalm 40:2 by John Darnielle is an intense reflection on sin and degradation. The chorus keeps returning to Psalm 40:2

For the Pure and Shining One
A song of poetic praise by King David

Pray
Scroll

You may like to Press Play to hear these songs inspired by Psalm 40

Spotify 9,225,247

Psalm 40:2

Spotify 237,000

Psalm 40 (A New Song)
New Hope Oahu