PSALM 40:4-5

Let us continue our study of Psalm 40 of which I have brought to our attention this theme, “When He Reached Down His Hand For Me”.  In our last study we looked at the ‘Patient Waiting For His Hand’.

            We turn our attention this week to the study of verses 4-5 which says, “Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if

I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.”  I have called this section ‘The Position Of Wonder In His Hand’.

            We are told in verse 4 that this position in one of ‘blessing’.  A literal translation may read, ‘Oh, the happiness of the man’.  This blessing of God is not a giddy, laughing happiness that often the religion of the world projects.  It is not a soupy and syrupy happiness.  It is not that worn out thought of ‘It is fun to be a Christian’.  The word ‘blessing’ in the original means to go forward because one is straight, level, balanced, honest and above board.  It is the word ‘Asher’, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, whom the Bible said was blessed in deed.  When we use Asher and bless together we are literally saying bless is indeed blessed.  The blessed position is a fortunate and to be envied place.  It is a joy of happiness deep within the recesses of the heart when all around your soul is giving way.  It is my position in Christ that is mine by spiritual birthright as a joint heir with Christ.

            We are told in verse 4 that the blessed position hinges on two movements.  One of the movements is for us to ‘trust’ in the Lord.  David says that in order to find true happiness one must make the Lord his trust.  The word ‘trust’ is a word that aligns close to the word faith.  It has the idea of relying upon or to rest all the being upon the Lord.  It is translated to hide in, or find a refuge in the Lord.  I notice the word ‘LORD’ is in all capital letters in the King James Bible.  It is the word Jehovah or the one who identifies Himself to Moses as ‘I Am’.  He is the God of self-sufficiency or the God of the Covenant and the Promise Keeper.  If He says it you can take it to the bank. In order to approach Him in faith you must believe that ‘He Is’.  He is the becoming God. What does He become? It depends wholly upon what you need.

            The second movement of the blessed man is not only to trust but also to ‘turn away’ from ‘proud liars’. (Vs.4) David says have no respect for the proud or those who turn to lies. The word ‘respecteth’ means to turn the face toward.  David says don’t give attention to the ‘proud’ (Those who act to be above or disrespectful to others) David says don’t give attention to those who ‘lie’. (To be miserly or stingy with what you have)  Trust, pride, and lies cannot live side by side in the heart of the truly blessed man.

            In verse 5 David begins to recount his blessings.  He refers to the Lord as ‘my God’.  Oh, what an announcement of personal possession.  David begins to remember the works God has done for him.  There are no sweeter thoughts to muse upon than that work God has done toward us, His work of justification, sanctification, adoption, and glorification.  David says his thoughts toward him are beyond number.  David says I cannot put them in any ‘order’.  There is no rhyme or reason to God’s dealings with me.  When I declare my blessings to others or to try to count them they are beyond my human calculations. “Muse on them, dear reader: no sweeter subject ever occupied your mind. God’s thoughts of you are many, let not yours be few in return.” (Spurgeon) The Lord said through Jeremiah, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you saith the Lord. Thoughts of peace and not evil, to give you an expected end.”  David said, “No good things will He withhold from them who walk uprightly.” If we have prayed and it is not sent let us rest in the God who only thinks about sending us what is good for us.  The songwriter said, ‘Count your blessings, name them one by one, and then you will see what the Lord hath done.’ No greater position than the wonder of being in His hand of blessing.

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