Psalm 40 for children

Psalm 40

A request for deliverance, and of trusting the Lord

1. I waited patiently for the LORD; and he leaned towards me, and heard my cry.

2. He brought me out of a horrible pit...and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.

3. And he has put a new song in my mouth, even praise to our God: many shall see, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.

4. Blessed is that man that trusts in the LORD, and does not respect the proud or those who lie.

5. Many, O LORD my God, are the wonderful works which you have done, and your thoughts towards us: if I were to speak of them, they are more than can be counted.

6. You did not desire sacrifices and offerings, you opened my ears.

7. Then I said, I come: This of me is written in the book.

8. I take great pleasure in doing your will, O my God: yes, your law is in my heart.

9. I have preached righteousness to people who are assembled together: you know O LORD, that I have not stopped my lips from speaking.

10. I have not hidden your righteousness inside my heart, I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation. I have not hidden your lovingkindness and your truth from people who are assembled together.

11. O LORD, do not withhold your tender mercies from me.. let your lovingkindness and your truth preserve me continually.

12. Many evil things are round about me. I am reminded of my sins so that I am not able to look up; they are so many that my heart fails me.

13. O LORD, be pleased to deliver me, hurry to help me.

14. Let those who wish to destroy my soul be ashamed and be put to confusion; let them who wish me evil be put to shame..

15. Let them not be rewarded who say to me "Aha, aha"

16. Let all who seek you be joyful and glad in you. Let those who love your salvation continually say, let the LORD be magnified.

17. But I am poor and needy; yet the LORD thinks upon me: you are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God.
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In the first three verses, David speaks of crying out to the Lord, and of the Lord hearing him, and establishing him upon a rock.. that being the rock of salvation, which is our Lord Jesus Christ.. David says that the Lord established his goings.. that means for a Christian, the Lord has a definite plan for our life, and leads us as we trust in Him day by day. David says that those who see and hear him praising the Lord will fear and trust in the Lord also.

In verses 4 - 11 David offers praises to the Lord.. that the man who trusts in Him is blessed.. David says that the wonderful works of the Lord are so many that they can not be counted. It was the Lord who opened David's ears, salvation is of the Lord.. and David's name is written in the book of life, as one of the saved. David is very happy in doing God's will, the Lord's law is in David's heart. David says that he has not hidden in his heart the righteousness (holiness) of the LORD, but has continually preached of God's faithfulness, lovingkindness and truth to an assembly of people.

In verses 12-17, David prays to the Lord for deliverance.. he is reminded of his past sins and they are keeping him from looking up to the Lord (in fellowship), his heart is in sadness because of his memory of his sins. David pleads to the Lord to deliver him from these memories.

He asks that those who wish to bring him evil be put to confusion and shame. and for those who would remind David of his sins and say "Aha, (look what you have done) David asks that they not be rewarded.

David asks that those who seek the Lord be filled with joy and gladness. and that those who are saved would continually say, "Let the LORD be magnified"

David says that within himself, he is poor and needy (in spirit) but is thankful that the LORD is his help and his deliverer.

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V. Gross/Jan'07