A New Song

I originally posted this entry on November 11, 2008


Psalm 40
I waited patiently for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God,
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the LORD.


Over and over the last few days I have had this Psalm in my head. I have been listening to this song called 40 by U2 that quotes this scripture. Bono repeats throughout the chorus, "I will sing, sing a new song...How long to sing this song? How long to sing this song? How long? How long? How long to sing this song?"

My God has lifted me up out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire. He has set my feet on a rock, the strongest, firmest of rocks, my Lord Jesus Christ. He has put a new song in my mouth for me to sing. But how long will it be until I sing the song he has put there?

How long?

How long to sing this song?

How long will it take for me to die to myself and live for my God?

How long will it take for my life to become a beautiful hymn of praise that brings many to trust in the LORD?

How long?

I don't know. What I do know is that my Lord is composing a new melody right at this very moment as I submit to Him and bow down my heart at His nail-scarred feet. What I do know, and have been reminded of today, is that my Jesus sees my submission to Him and reports it directly to His Father. What I do know is that my life can become a new song of praise to my God, because I have the highest of high priests interceding directly for me, on my behalf. What I do know is that my God has "redeemed my life from the pit and crowned me with love and compassion" (Psalm 103:4-5)! What I do know is this different song, this new song's introduction can begin as soon as I accept the fact that my God has pulled me up out of the depths of my sin and set me on firm ground and has mercifully filled me with His love and His compassion.

How long to sing this song? As soon as I accept...only then will I sing a new song!