God is Incomparable and He hears our cries
David began thanking God for hearing his cry and lifting him out from the pit of destruction. He declares “I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.” (Psalm 40:1-2)
He continues to praise God for giving him a new song, a song of praise. In verses 4-5, David reminds us that Blessed is the one who puts his trust in God and not in anyone or anything else, such as the proud or those who go astray following lies. In the culture we live in, we are presented with conflicting messages of where to put our hope, such as in ourselves, but David declares that Blessed is the one who puts his trust in God.
David not only thanks God for what He does, but he says, “none can compare with you!” There is no one like God. He goes on to tell of how God’s works are too many to count.
“Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie! You have multiplied, O Lord my God,
your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told.” – Psalm 40:4-5
A Surrendered Heart is Better than Sacrificial Offerings
In verses 6-8, we are reminded of God’s desire, that He desires a correct heart posture and a willing heart rather than presenting sacrificial offerings from wrong motives. Similarly in other passages of the Bible, we are reminded God wants a willing and surrendered heart over right actions coming from wrong motives. (1 Samuel 15:22, Amos 5:21-22).
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. – Psalm 40:6-8
David outwardly proclaims who God is
David openly proclaims to God that he doesn’t ‘restrain his lips’ from declaring about God’s righteousness, faithfulness, love. It is an encouragement and reminder to believers that when we have seen God’s goodness in our lives, we shouldn’t restrain our lips, but boldly declare who He is and all the wonderous deeds he has done (Psalm 40:5).
I have told the glad news of deliverance, in the great congregation; behold, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O Lord. I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation. – Psalm 40:9-10
God is Our Help and Deliverer
In the second half of the psalm, we see David still calls out to God for His mercy as his troubles outnumber him and his sins overtake him (Psalm 40:11-13). Like David, we can come before God amid all the troubles that surround us and seek after Him. He is our help and deliverer (Psalm 40:17).
Graceful Strides 