As we progress through our reading program in the Wisdom (Poetry) section of the Old Testament, we’re nearing the end of Psalms, Book 1. We’ll start Job on Thursday. We’ve already observed there A LOT of prayers for deliverance.

Psalm 40 opens with praise:

I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth— Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the LORD. (Psalm 40.1 – 3, NKJV)

As I await tomorrow’s surgery, I’m resonating with this.

Psalm 40 also contains a verse June and I claimed during the early days of our marriage (56+ years ago!):

Many, O LORD my God, are Your wonderful works Which You have done; And Your thoughts toward us Cannot be recounted to You in order; If I would declare and speak of them, They are more than can be numbered. (Psalm 40.5, NKJV)

And we have certainly found that verse to be true.

And even though the psalm opens with praise for deliverance, it closes with yet another prayer for deliverance:

Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me; O LORD, make haste to help me!…But I am poor and needy; Yet the LORD thinks upon me. You are my help and my deliverer; Do not delay, O my God. (Psalm 40.13, 17, NKJV)