“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 the Lord and put their trust in him. Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare. I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, Lord, as you know. I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help. I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness from the great assembly. But as for me, I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; you are my God, do not delay.” (v1-3,5,9-10,17)
This Psalm reads like a worship song. It’s fairly straight-forward, telling of God’s deliverance and greatness, His many wonders and provisions.
The one part that jumped out at me was v9-10 where David talks about publicly proclaiming God’s acts, not allowing his lips to be sealed, and not keeping silent about who God is. These verses are echoed in many NT writings such as “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” (Rom 1:16); “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” (2 Tim 2:15); “[a Jew named Apollos] began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.” (Act 18:26); “However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.” (1 Pet 4:16)
How many times have I had the opportunity to share the gospel with someone, but then remained silent? How many times have I barely alluded to Jesus, rather than boldly proclaiming His name? How many times have I “denied Christ” by acting like I’m not even a follower? I shudder to think about it.
My prayer for today is borrowed from Peter and John: “Sovereign Lord, you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: ‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed one.’ Indeed [enemies] conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” (Acts 4:24b-30, incl. quote from Psa 2:1-2)
~ Conqueror in Training