Psalm 40:1-8 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 40:1-8 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry.
Verse 2He drew me up from the desolate pit, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.
Verse 3He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.
Verse 4Happy are those who make the Lord their trust, who do not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after false gods.
Verse 5You 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.
Verse 6Sacrifice and offering you do not desire, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required.
Verse 7Then I said, "Here I am; in the scroll of the book it is written of me.
Verse 8I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart."
Devotion
One of the great gifts of friendship is having someone else listen to you so carefully that you discover your own voice, your own way of speaking the truth. This is one of God’s Advent gifts to us. It is God who puts a new song in our mouths.
Prayer
Holy God, help me to wait patiently for the voice you are raising in me. May the words of my mouth today and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight. Amen.