Have you ever wondered why good people suffer? Yes, we all do it. David is not different. He knew very well that he was not the most perfect person around, but he was on the right path. But even though he was trying to do the right thing he was suffering on the inside and out. Psalm 40 is a beautiful picture of that season in his life.
In this psalm he starts saying that he was rescued from the pit. He recognizes that God saved him and restored him. This is what he says: “Psa. 40:2 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.”
Praise and worship followed that redemption. David recognizes that he could not get out of the pit without the action of God, and because of that he was grateful. “Psa. 40:3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.”
He goes on to state that that redemption was more than just a little help. David recognizes that the redemption means surrender of his life to the Lord. This is how he puts it: “Psa. 40:6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but my ears you have pierced; burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.” The expression “my ears you have pierced” is a reference to the voluntary servanthood (Ex. 21:5-6).
David also mentions his desire to do the will of the Lord. “Psa. 40:8 I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.” He does not want to be a nominal servant. He really wants to follow the Lord, keep His commands, and obey His law.
Finally David says that he will proclaim the Lord’s righteousness. He is making a vow to go public with his decision to follow the Lord. “Psa. 40:9 I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, as you know, O LORD.”
Probably, like me, you are thinking, wow this David is doing everything that he can to be a good member of God’s family. He was redeemed, he offers worship and praise, and he dedicates his life to serve the Lord. The Lord will protect and help him, right? Not necessarily. Doing everything right does not guarantee that our life will be trouble free.
David learned that. He complains that even though he was doing everything that he could the problems were still there. “Psa. 40:12 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.” They were not few. They are coming from different directions. He mentions his sins and the enemies who surround him. Yes, the enemies are still there. These are the expressions that David uses to describe their actions: “all who seek to take my life, all who desire my ruin, those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!””
Like David, sometimes we find ourselves doing everything right and despite that we continue to experience troubles and trials. During those times we should act like David did, keep doing the right thing and plead to the Lord to save and help us. Let us pray using David’s words: “Psa. 40:17 … I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; O my God, do not delay.”
Have a blessed week,
Pastor Lucas