Learning A New Song

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.

Psalm 40:3

Do you like to learn new songs or do you cling to the oldies? Did you know that God commands His people to sing new songs to Him? What songs? Well, surely He wants us singing the ones He personally teaches us. In Psalm 40 God taught David a new song, but it wasn’t learned easily. David learned the song in a pit.

David was in a slimy pit that was impossible to escape alone. You and I have been there. We have fallen into a slimy pit of despair, a pit of fear, a pit of some sinful habit, etc. We try to get out on our own, using one method after another; but each time we find ourselves right back at the bottom of the pit in the mud and mire. There we stay, until finally we come to the realization I can’t do this on my own. Then we cry out to God for help.

David cried out to God, but God didn’t rescue him immediately. David testified, I waited patiently for the Lord (Psalm 40:1). It`s hard to wait patiently at the bottom of a pit, isn’t it? But God had a purpose for His delay. Sometimes God leaves His people in the pit because He has something to teach us about His divine, sufficient and trustworthy character. Perhaps, God wants to teach us about our own inadequacies and our need to depend upon Him.

God did lift David out of the pit, and David testified, He set my feet on a firm Rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God (Psalm 40:2-3). Clinging to God, you and I come out of the pit with a new song about Him! Our knowledge of God has been deepened, and our praise has reached new heights!

O Lord, my Rock, when I stumble into pits help me cling to You. Use the pit to teach me a new song about You and cause my praise to reach new heights!

Jan Burkhart