The Hope of a Fresh Start
Psalm 40
Psalm 40 is a prayer of David, and it reads like a testimony of one who has been delivered from a time of deep distress. David has been in a pit, but this is where he saw God at work. This Psalm is a song of praise as David reflects on the way God has delivered him from a muddy mess to the solid ground of security.
1. As you read this Psalm, what names of God and what characteristics of God is David reflecting on?
2. Read Psalm 40:1-3.
Put in order what we see happening in these 3 verses. Describe the timeline of what David has experienced.
3. Psalm 40:1NLT “I waited patiently for the LORD to help me.” This is the Hebrew word qâvâh which means
to wait, look for,
hope, expect.
What does it look like for you to wait patiently?
Psalm 40:1
"And He turned to me and heard my cry." What helped David to wait patiently?
“Turned” in Hebrew also means “to bend down.”
This reminds me of Psalm 116:1-2 NLT--“I love the Lord because He hears and answers my prayers. Because He bends down and listens, I will pray as long as I have breath!”
From my journal: You bend down to listen to me?! What a tender word picture. I'm sure You don't bend down to get close to me because You are hard of hearing. You bend down to me so that I might know that You are right with me--listening, caring, and preparing how You will answer. You bend down to me so that I might be confident that I have Your attention.
4. Psalm 40:2-3 What is David praising God for?
(Do you see the fresh start God has given him?)
What happens as a result of David’s experience? (Psalm 40:3)
“Our troubles are not just for us. They are also for the people watching us.”
(note in Rick’s Bible)
5. Psalm 40:4-5 How does David know that he is blessed?
6. Psalm 40:6-8 What does God want more than our sacrifice and offering?
7. Psalm 40:8 What makes obeying God something that we delight or find joy in doing?
8. Psalm 40:9-11 David excited about to tell others about what?
9. Psalm 40:12-15 David sees 2 evils that keep hounding him.
In verse 12 what is troubling David?
In Psalm 40:13-16 what is troubling David?
10. Psalm 40:17 In this verse we see a great way to pray! David says, I am poor and needy, but You are my help and my deliverer.
Write your own “I am . . . but You are . . .” prayer.
Agree or Apply? Psalm 40 is rich and it offers us clear direction about moving on with a fresh start.
What has stood out to you?
What actions will you take from David’s example to help you move forward?
