For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.
1 I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
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.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the LORD.
4 Blessed is the man
who makes the LORD his trust,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods.
5 Many, O LORD my God,
are the wonders you have done.
The things you planned for us
no one can recount to you;
were I to speak and tell of them,
they would be too many to declare.
6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
but my ears you have pierced;
burnt offerings and sin offerings
you did not require.
7 Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—
it is written about me in the scroll.
8 I desire to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart.”
9 I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly;
I do not seal my lips,
as you know, O LORD.
10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I speak of your faithfulness and salvation.
I do not conceal your love and your truth
from the great assembly.
11 Do not withhold your mercy from me, O LORD;
may your love and your truth always protect me.
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.
13 Be pleased, O LORD, to save me;
O LORD, come quickly to help me.
14 May all who seek to take my life
be put to shame and confusion;
may all who desire my ruin
be turned back in disgrace.
15 May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!”
be appalled at their own shame.
16 But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation always say,
“The LORD be exalted!”
17 Yet I am poor and needy;
may the Lord think of me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
O my God, do not delay.
How great indeed is our God. Reading this passage in my devo's today was so, so convicting, and so, so, so, so perfect for the trials that I am facing at this moment. Such can only be by God's providence, for His Word is fully sufficient for all things.
Although I slipped once again in my battle against fleshly lusts, even though I have become discouraged and doubts have crept in, God, once again, so faithfully, hears my cry (v.1) and lifts me out of what I could not climb myself--my own wicked lusts (v.2). He places me on a solid rock, on Christ Jesus (v.2). He allows me to sing a new song in praise of Him, to praise Him even more and even more fully--I have been relieved of my doubts and worries, and I trust fully in Jesus's power to eternally redeem. I sing to the Lord a new song, ever praising Him loudly and joyfully (v.3). I place my trust fully and absolutely in my God, my King, my Lord, my Savior: Jesus Christ (v.4). God has great plans for me, which He shall surely see to completion (v.5). He pierces my ears; His Word brings truth and conviction (v.6). I desire to do God's will, to live in righteousness, to live a life holy and blameless in His sight (v.7-8). I proclaim His greatness, His righteousness, His faithfulness, His salvation, His love and truth--I do not consider these as works or as earning me salvation, but as reflections of the absolute faith that I have in Christ my God (v.9-10). God will not withhold His mercy from me; I will be protected by His love and truth (v.11). Although sin has overtaken me and I feel blinded, God saves me, He comes quickly to me when I finally call on His Name (v.12-13). The Lord will protect me from those who try to discourage me, from those who mock me for living for Him (v.14-15). May I never fail to declare, "The LORD be exalted!" for I love His salvation and I rejoice in Him (v.16). While I yet remain poor and needy, because of Christ the LORD thinks of me, He is my Help and my Deliverer, he comes to me quickly (v.17).
Other awesome connections:
v.5 ~ Connection to Cutting It Straight homework, on Philippians 1:21-26, which I had just been working on last night. God has a plan, and I can be confident that He will see it to completion. Also connected to Philippians 1:6, which I'd read to get context for my homework.
v.2 ~ We've just decided on The Solid Rock to be our song for GOCappella. What better than to read a Psalm immediately afterwards that speaks of the very same truths in the hymn?
I suspect that I may have found the Psalm on which Chris Tomlin's "You Lifted Me Out" is based. Perhaps.
God's timing is impeccable, His wisdom infinite, His providence complete, His sovereignty absolute, His forgiveness full, His plan perfect. His love amazing.
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