Out of the pit arid on the rock: a song of praise.
The title of the psalm indicates that it is one of David's: against that no adequate argument has been raised. £ Therefore, as David's we regard it. We are called on to a treatment of it in three several topics. In this, the first, we look at it as a song of praise for delivering mercy—for delivering mercy experienced by the psalmist himself, who, having written this grateful hymn, hands it "to the chief musician" for use in sanctuary service. Where can our notes of praise for Divine interposition be more appropriately sung than in the fellowship of the saints in the house of the Lord? We are left in doubt, indeed, as to whether the help thus celebrated was temporal or spiritual. Either way, the progression of thought in these ten verses is the same. For homiletical purposes we can scarcely let our remarks run on both lines at once. We shall, therefore, confine our thoughts to one kind of deliverance, viz. that from spiritual distress; while a pulpit expositor will find the progression of thought equally appropriate, should he desire to use it to incite to praise for temporal mercy. But our present theme is—praise for delivering grace.
I. HERE IS A CASE OF SORE DISTRESS. £ (Psalms 40:2.) "An horrible pit;" "the miry clay." Two very striking expressions, which may well represent, figuratively, the wretchedness and peril of a man who is deep down in the mire of sin and guilt, and on whose conscience the load of guilt presses so heavily, that he seems to be sinking—to have no standing; as if he must soon be swallowed up in misery and despair.
II. THE DISTRESS LEADS TO PRAYER. (Psalms 40:1.) There was a "cry" sent up to God for help. And this help seemed long delayed. There was a prolonged waiting in agony of prayer, that deliverance would come. The Hebrew is not exactly, "I waited patiently," but "waiting, I waited," signifying "I waited long." He who, broken down under conviction of sin, pleads with God for mercy, and will not let him go except he blesses him,—such a one shall never wait in vain.
III. PRAYER IS ANSWERED, AND DELIVERING GRACE IS VOUCHSAFED. (Psalms 40:2.) How great the change! From sinking in a pit, the psalmist is lifted up and set upon a rock] How apt and beautiful the figure to set forth the change in the penitent's position, when, after being weighed down by sin, he is lifted up and set firmly on the Rock of Ages!
IV. HENCE THERE IS A NEW SONG IN THE MOUTH. (Psalms 40:3.) How often do we read of a new song! The song of redeeming grace is new, superadded to the song of creation. It will be ever new; whether on earth or in heaven, it can never grow old, it can lose none of its freshness and glory!
V. AS THE RESULT, THERE IS A TWOFOLD EXPRESSION OF GRATITUDE.
1. Surrender of will, heart, life, and all, to God. (Psalms 40:6-8.) "In the roll of the book" it was prescribed that Israel's king was to fulfil the will of God, and that such fulfilment of the will of God was more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. Note: The doctrine here expressed is no mark of a later date than David (see 1 Samuel 12:1-25.; 1 Samuel 15:22; Psalms 1:1-6.; Psalms 51:16; Isaiah 1:11; Jeremiah 7:21; Hosea 6:6; Micah 6:1-8).
2. The proclamation of God's mercy before men. (Psalms 40:9, Psalms 40:10.) There is nothing like the experience of "grace abounding to the chief of sinners," to give power in speaking for God. He who having been first "in the pit," then "on his knees," then "on the Rock," is the man who will have power when he stands "in the pulpit."—C.