Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

The Pilgrim’s Perspective-

“ For I am your guest-a traveler passing through, as my ancestors were before me.”(12)

Pilgrims have a different perspective than the citizens of this world. They recognize that spiritual attitudes remain while all earthly circumstances cease: “ They (Abraham, Sarah, Isaac and Jacob) agreed that they were no more than foreigners and nomads here on earth…they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland.” (Heb. 11:13,16) In God’s kingdom, pilgrims go to the front of the line.

The Petition for Joy-

“ Spare me so I can smile again before I am gone and exist no more.” (13)

As David refocuses his life on eternal perspectives, he asks God for another chance to joyfully serve him before he dies.

PSALM 40: YOUR LAW IS WRITTEN ON MY HEART Lifted From Despair

This is David’s song of being lifted from the pit of despair into the praises of God. It is also prophetic of Christ sacrificing his life for us as an offering for sin. The writer of the book of Hebrews tells us that verses 6-8 are the words of Jesus. It is divided into four segments:

I. THE MUSIC AND THE MIRACLES -1-5 II. THE MESSIAH’S SACRIFICE - 6-8 III. THE MESSAGE OF HIS MERCY - 9-12 IV. MAY ALL WHO SEARCH FOR YOU - 13-17

INTRODUCTION:

“ For the Choir Director, a psalm of David. ”

The choir director was most likely referring to Kenaniah, the head Levite in the days of King David’s reign. ” Kenaniah, the head Levite was chosen as the choir leader because of his skill.” (1 Chronicles 15:16,17, 22) This is possibly one of the psalms of David composed in memory of when he fled from either King Saul or his son Absalom. Some of the clues are being lifted from a pit (vs.2) and being surrounded by his enemies (vs. 15). “ Just as Saul and his men began to close in on David and his men, an urgent mes- sage reached Saul that the Philistines were raiding Israel again. So Saul quit the chase and returned to fight the Philistines.” (1 Sam. 23:26-28)

I. THE MUSIC AND THE MIRACLES - 1-5

“ I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.” (1)

Patience is necessary to advance in our relationship with God; it reveals the level of our trust in him. David did not take matters into his own hands when he was able to kill Saul in the cave: “ For the Lord placed you at my mercy back there in the cave, and some of my men told me to kill you, but I spared you.”(1 Sam. 24:10) Because of his patience, the Lord gave the kingdom to David.

“ He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.” (2)

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