A Psalm a Day Keeps Satan Away, The Podcast Edition: Psalm 40

Psalm 40 – A New SongPsalm 40 is a top fiver for sure! Many scholars believe that it consists of two psalms: a thanksgiving psalm in verses 1-10 and a lament psalm in verses 11-17, with the lament portion being duplicated in Psalm 70. Given that duplication, we will focus on the thanksgiving portion for now.The psalmist begins by recounting a period of helplessness. He is metaphorically stuck in the mud and mire (v.2) and has cried out to YHWH, who sets the psalmist’s feet on a rock, which elicits a new song of praise. The language links back to the events of the Exodus, where G-d hears the cry of His people (Ex. 2: 23-24), leads them through the mud and mire of the Red Sea and sets them on the firm ground on the other side, free from the bondage of Egypt (Ex. 14), after which, Miriam sings a song of praise (Ex. 15).The intertextual link is critical to the theology of this psalm. The Hebrew people in Egypt did nothing to receive freedom from bondage. There were no sacrifices or offerings or burnt offerings or sin offerings (v. 6) lifted to G-d to “bribe” Him to act. They simply cried out to Him with trust and confidence knowing that if they waited/hoped patiently that G-d would act.For those who want to argue that the Hebrew Bible (the Old Testament) portrays G-d as demanding adherence to a bunch of rules and regulations to gain salvation, Psalm 40 provides yet another argument against that viewpoint. Does the righteous/just/holy G-d of the Universe demand obedience? Yes, He does. But obedience is our response to salvation, not the cause of it. The cause of it is, and always has been, the unfailing love of our gracious and merciful G-d.In response to that grace, mercy and salvation, pray as the psalmist prays:“I desire to do your will, O my God; your Torah (teaching, guidance, instruction) is within my heart.” (v. 8)There is also an ironic and humorous inclusio (bookend “sandwich” verses) in v. 1 and 17: verse 1 opens the psalm with “I waited patiently for the LORD;” the psalm ends in verse 17 with “O my God, do not delay!”Shalom שָׁלוֹם,DWachPS … Our song selections come from U2 today. Their song, Forty, is based on Psalm 40; their song, Yahweh, is also a top fiver, so DJ Revonda is throwing that in as a bonus track. Get full access to Go Forth at goforth0913.substack.com/subscribe