“Psalm 40” - a song for all of us!

"Psalm 40," written in 1988, was one of my earliest songs. A favorite scripture, a signature song, and an overarching theme of my life, it was the obvious choice for the opening/title song of the first album, a collection of eleven songs written for/dedicated to members of my family. This song has been shared many times over the years with congregations we have served, and you may find that the chorus gets stuck in your head -- actually, I hope so!

The words of this psalm, which declare God’s faithfulness, resonate with my own experience over the past forty years, and in particular, the very personal way I felt rescued into this faith journey. Back then, I was working hard and relying solely on my own strength to be a good student, musician, son, friend, and person. As a freshman in college, I was already exhausted from carrying that load alone, something God never intended for us, and I was quickly coming to the end of my own inner resources. At a crucial moment, my roommate (still a good friend) shared an encouraging verse of scripture (not this psalm, but more about that verse in a future blog entry) which pulled together all of the God-filled pieces of my life: the seeds that He had planted in earlier years. Those words "turned the key," and helped me recognize and receive God’s love and return the control of my life back into the hands of the One who knew me best and had all the strength I needed.

Over ten years later, as I was reading Psalm 40 and reflecting back on God’s faithfulness in the rear-view mirror, it was as if King David's honest and heartfelt testimony was narrating my own story. I could see that God had lifted me "out of the pit of destruction" (note the rising melody at this point in the song) and rescued me from an earthly life without Him. That's what salvation is, a rescue. . . from the trap of living for ourselves, something that comes naturally to all of us. "And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm" – I began to build my life on the foundation of God's love – and He literally gave me "a new song, a song of praise."

There are many wonders in my life which I look forward to sharing with you, but the greatest is that I was able to see my need for God, something for which I'm sure I can't take credit! The psalmist said, "You are my help and my Deliverer." From that initial turning point, He has redirected the course of my life, and all of these songs have flowed out of an ongoing relationship with Him; they are wonders I now have the joy of offering to you.

Maybe, as David said, you feel far down, as if you are in a pit, perhaps even one of your own making. But God is not too far away. He hears your cry for help, and He can lift you up and out. Receive the wonderful gift of recognizing and acknowledging your need for Him. It’s never too late – there is a Rescuer and there is hope.

Thank God for the wonders He has done -- join me in praise: "There is no One like You!"

("Psalm 40" can be found on the album, "The Wonders You Have Done")