He works in the tension

Psalm 40

There is tension in this psalm that it is not necessary to explain by saying it is actually two different psalms put together. That’s what some say. The power of the psalm comes from that very tension, and the completeness of the psalm as one outpouring is shown in the return at the end to the plea of the beginning.

What is the tension? There is praise of God, expressing confidence in him, but the psalmist also pleads for help, even vindication (14). It’s my situation: celebrating faith and trust in God even while I need assurance of his presence and help. The vindication is as much that the God will be shown to be in charge as much as it has a motive of self-interest. It is so that the faithfulness of God to those who trust in him will be evident. And this time – unlike some other times when we’ve read of plea to destroy enemies – he asks that enemies be put to shame and confusion, turned back. That leaves in play the possibility that they would be included in the prayer of verse 16. OK, there’s nothing that exactly points to that, but it seems to me that to include the possibility is in the spirit of humility in the concluding verse.

We use the word “inclusive” sometimes as if we invented the concern it represents. Meanwhile, it is hard for us – OK, me – sometimes to get my mind and heart around the fact that God really wants me to be part of his concern to offer rescue from destruction to everyone.

Prayer:
Lord, I celebrate that you do not approach invitations as we people do: thinking who is useful to us, considering whom it is in our interest to please, and who has done something for us lately. Let your Spirit bring expansiveness to my view of my fellow humanity, as I too am poor and needy. In Christ. Amen.