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. Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare. Sacrifice and offering you did not desire— but my ears you have opened— burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require. Then I said, “Here I am, I have come— it is written about me in the scroll. I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.”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. Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord; may your love and faithfulness always protect me. 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. Be pleased to save me, Lord; come quickly, Lord, to help me. May all who want to take my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace. May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!” be appalled at their own shame. 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!” But as for me, I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; you are my God, do not delay.
—Psalm 40:1-17

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The Cry and the Cross

The Cry                                                                     The Cross

I waited patiently for the Lord;                                   I am the Rock, the firm foundation; 
He turned to me and heard my cry                            I came to seek and save the lost. 
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,                                The pit was yours, the mire your sin, 
out of the mud and mire;                                            but I stepped into the depths for you. 
He set my feet on a rock                                            My cry echoed in Gethsemane: 
and gave me a firm place to stand.                             “Not my will, but Yours be done.” 

Sacrifice and offering You did not desire,                    The scroll speaks of Me— 
but my ears You have opened;                                    I am the Word made flesh. 
burnt offerings and sin offerings You did not require.   No offering could cleanse your sin,
Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—                       so I became the offering. 
it is written about me in the scroll.                                “Here I am,” I said, 
I desire to do Your will, my God;                                   Your will became My bread, 
Your law is within my heart.”                                         Your law My heartbeat. 

I proclaim Your righteousness in the great assembly;   I spoke in synagogues, on mountains, by the sea— 
I do not seal my lips, Lord, as You know.                      My lips declared Your faithfulness,   . 
I do not hide Your righteousness in my heart;               My hands healed the broken.
I speak of Your faithfulness and salvation.                    The cross became My pulpit, the resurrection My proclamation. 

Do not withhold Your mercy from me, Lord;                  I bore your sins on the tree, the weight of the world on My shoulders. 
may Your love and faithfulness always protect me.      My mercy is endless, My love unyielding— 
For troubles without number surround me;                   I intercede for you still. Look to Me, and see: 
my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.            the pit is empty, the victory won. 

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How to Read a Contrapuntal Poem
2. Read column one straight through for one narrative.
2. Read column two straight through for the other narrative.
3. Read them side by side to see the dialogue and contrast.

Scripture: Psalm 40:1-17

Psalm 40 is a song of deliverance, praise, and dedication, written by David under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. While it reflects David’s personal experience, the New Testament makes it clear that this psalm ultimately points to Jesus Christ, the One who perfectly fulfilled the will of the Father (Hebrews 10:5-9).

David speaks of waiting patiently for the Lord, who lifted him from the “horrible pit” and set his feet upon a rock. This image of deliverance finds its highest fulfillment in Jesus. Christ, though sinless, entered into our suffering, waiting upon the Father’s perfect plan. He was raised from the grave, and in Him, we too are lifted from the pit of sin and set on the Rock of salvation (1 Corinthians 10:4).

When God delivers us, He puts a “new song” in our mouths—a song of redemption and praise. This is the song of the gospel, the song that proclaims the glory of Christ’s saving work.

The writer of Hebrews directly applies the words of Psalm 40:6-8 to Jesus (Hebrews 10:5-7). The Old Testament sacrifices could never fully take away sin, but Christ came to fulfill God’s will, offering Himself as the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10). Unlike David, who was a man in need of atonement, Jesus was the sinless One who became our atonement.

In verses 9-10 Jesus perfectly fulfilled this mission. Throughout His ministry, He declared the good news of the Kingdom, revealing the lovingkindness and truth of God. He preached to crowds, taught His disciples, and ultimately demonstrated God’s love by laying down His life (John 10:11). Even after His resurrection, He continued to proclaim the gospel through His apostles, and today, we are called to carry on that mission.

In the latter half of the psalm, David pleads for deliverance from enemies and personal struggles. Though Christ is greater than David, He too endured opposition, betrayal, and suffering. On the cross, He experienced ultimate distress as He bore our sins (Matthew 27:46). But just as God did not forsake David, He did not abandon His Son to the grave (Acts 2:31-32).

Because Christ has overcome, we can cry out to Him in our struggles, trusting that He will deliver us in His perfect time. Like David, we can declare, “Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You” (Psalm 40:16).

Have you been lifted from the pit of sin by trusting in Jesus? Do you delight in God’s will, as Jesus did, seeking to live in obedience? Are you proclaiming His goodness, sharing the gospel with others? In times of trouble, do you wait patiently on the Lord, trusting in His deliverance?

Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of Psalm 40. He is our Deliverer, our perfect Sacrifice, the Proclaimer of Good News, and our ever-present Help. May we put our trust in Him and join in the song of salvation!

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Lord Jesus, You are the Rock of my salvation, the One who lifts me from the pit and sets me on solid ground. Help me to trust in Your timing, delight in Your will, and proclaim Your righteousness to those around me. In times of trouble, may I wait patiently on You, knowing that You will never forsake me. In Your exalted name, I pray. Amen.

February 9 2025