TO THE CHOIRMASTER. A PSALM OF DAVID.
“I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. 2 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. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song 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 turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie! 5 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. 6 In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required. 7 Then I said, “Behold, I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me: 8 I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.” (Psalm 40:1–8 (ESV)
King David wrote each psalm that has thus far been examined regarding the incarnation of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. The text examined today is no exception. David’s immediate circumstances foreshadow a greater fulfillment in the person and work of the incarnate Son of God and Son of Man.
In vs, 1-5 of Psalm 40, David proclaims what God has done for him. There are three main point which David makes. First, the LORD lifted him out of despair (vs. 1-2). Second, God set David’s feet upon solid ground (vs. 2b). Third, the LORD gave David a new song to sing (vs. 3-5).
The metaphorical images David conveys in these first five verses of Psalm 40 are realized in one’s covenant relationship with Yahweh. This is accomplished by grace alone, through faith alone, in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone. God the Father lifts sinners from the despair of their sin, sets their lives upon the solid rock of salvation, and gives the new believer in Christ a joy which expresses itself in heartfelt singing.
In vs. 6-8, David expresses the true evidence of the repentant sinner: obedience. To do the will of God is the delight of believer in Christ.
However, the obedience of which David speaks in his own life was perfectly fulfilled by none other than Jesus Christ. This is why the writer of the Book of Hebrews cited these verses in Hebrews 10:5-7.
Hebrews 10:5–7 (ESV) says, “5 Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; 6 in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. 7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’ ”
Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “The obedience of Jesus in the body is to offer Himself once for all, replacing the animal sacrifices of the Old Testament.”
Consider the lyrics of this Christmas carol.
1.Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
And with fear and trembling stand;
Ponder nothing earthly-minded,
For with blessing in his hand,
Christ our God to earth descendeth,
Our full homage to demand.
2. King of kings, yet born of Mary,
As of old on earth he stood,
Lord of lords, in human vesture,
In the body and the blood;
He will give to all the faithful
His own self for heavenly food.
3. At his feet the six-winged seraph,
Cherubim, with sleepless eye,
Veil their faces to the presence,
As with ceaseless voice they cry:
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Alleluia, Lord Most High!
Soli deo Gloria!
His Word Today 