Psalm 40

Psalm 40  

WEDNESDAY  Reflections

He Brought Me Out

Dr. Henry J. Zelley, 1898

My heart was distressed ’neath Jehovah’s dread frown,

And low in the pit where my sins dragged me down;

I cried to the Lord from the deep miry clay,

Who tenderly brought me out to golden day.

• Refrain:

He brought me out of the miry clay,

He set my feet on the Rock to stay;

He puts a song in my soul today,

A song of praise, hallelujah!

Whenever I read Psalm 40, I can't help but sing Dr. Zelley's song. As of the time of this writing, I have not found evidence if this psalm is the inspiration for his words, but I do know they are the cry of many a person who calls out to God. It is also the song of the person God has saved. 

There is more to the song, look it up and sing for joy.

Psa 40:1-17
(1)  To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
(2)  He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
(3)  And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
(4)  Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
(5)  Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
(6)  Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
(7)  Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,
(8)  I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
(9)  I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.
(10)  I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.
(11)  Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.
(12)  For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me.
(13)  Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me.
(14)  Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.
(15)  Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha.
(16)  Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.
(17)  But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.

Photo by Tadas Mikuckis on Unsplash