The Song of the Persecuted

Psalm 40 is David's song of thanksgiving, even in the midst of problems and persecution. It has two stanzas: (outline from VanGemeren, EBC)... praise stemming from a past rescue leads to confident prayer for a current crisis.

I. Precedent from a past situation (Ps. 40:1-10). Thanking God for a previous deliverance
A. Personal experience of salvation (1-3). RESCUE God's merciful rescue of Him in the past

1. The wait
2. The pit
3. The song
   B. Blessedness of God's protection (4-5). REFLECTION Daniel 3 and Isaiah 43:1-3
4. Blessed trust
5. Empty trust
6. Divine trust
   C. Expression of commitment (6-8). DEDICATION Rom. 12:1-2
7. Not ritual
8. New life
   D. Proclamation of God's perfections (9-10). PROCLAMATION
9. righteousness - He always does right.
10. faithfulness - His love is constant and unchanging