Most often psalms of lament move from lament to praise. Psalm 40 changes the order around: It begins with praise and then, starting at verse 11, moves into lament. It is an interesting change in perspective and reflects a common experience. In this world praise is often interspersed with lament. In fact, at any one time we may be holding the two in tension. Sometimes knowing the goodness that exists in this world makes us lament the evil we see and experience—it’s not the way it was meant to be. But on the other hand, it is often our remembrance of the good things that God has done for us that helps us during darker times
The good gifts of God not only bolster us personally, they are meant to be shared with others, to point to our gracious God. This psalm then gives us a great opportunity for sharing some of our own testimonies. You might want to invite your worshiping community, young and old, to send in one sentence answers to where they have seen God at work in their lives and the world around them recently. Then share a few of them where indicated in the litany below.
This litany is written for one voice. The text in regular font is meant to help the listener understand the psalm and its movements. The psalm itself is in the brown font. There is an optional communal response in bold at the end.
A Conversation with Psalm 40
Listen to my testimony of the wonders that God has done for me.
I waited patiently for the Lord;
he inclined to me and heard my cry.
I waited and waited with hope and trust and then…
He drew me up from the desolate pit,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
making my steps secure.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.
Have you ever experienced such desolation? Maybe you are feeling like you are in the pit of despair right now. If God did this for me, surely God can do the same for you.
This is my hope for all of you, that
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the Lord.
Once you put your trust in God you will find contentment for
Happy are those who make
the Lord their trust,
who do not turn to the proud,
to those who go astray after false gods.
Listen, to this truth about our God.
You have multiplied, O Lord my God,
your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;
none can compare with you.
Were I to proclaim and tell of them,
they would be more than can be counted.
We can’t share all that God has done or we would be here all day, but listen to just a few testimonies from our community…
[Insert short sentence testimonies collected from congregation members.]
How might we respond to these wondrous testimonies?
[O Lord,] Sacrifice and offering you do not desire,
but you have given me an open ear.
Burnt offering and sin offering
you have not required.
Instead you desire all of me rather than empty rituals. A proper response is a life dedicated to you, to be your disciple, committed to inviting others to follow you, to come see and hear.
[So,] I said, “Here I am;
in the scroll of the book it is written of me.
I delight to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart.”
I have told the glad news of deliverance
in the great congregation;
see, I have not restrained my lips,
as you know, O Lord.
I have not hidden your saving help within my heart;
I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;
I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness
from the great congregation.
But life is full of ups and downs, so I continue to pray.
Do not, O Lord, withhold
your mercy from me;
let your steadfast love and your faithfulness
keep me safe forever.
—Psalm 40:1–11 NRSVUE
Do not, O Lord withhold
your mercy from any of us;
let your steadfast love and your faithfulness
keep us safe forever.
Amen.
Revised Common Lectionary Epiphany 2A, Annunciation
