Inspiration & Understanding

The Psalms cover all aspects of the human condition: our joys and fears, hopes and dreams — even our yearning for vengeance and the destruction of our enemies. They aren't always pretty, but they are powerful examples of honest conversations with God.

The Scripture

Psalm 40:1-10
New Revised Standard Version

I waited patiently for the Lord;
who inclined to me and heard my cry.
He drew me up from the desolate pit,
up out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
making my steps secure.

He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and be in awe,
and put their trust in the Lord.

Happy are those who make
the Lord their trust,
who do not turn to the haughty,
to those who go astray after false gods.

You 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.

Sacrifice and offering you do not desire,
but you have given me an open ear.
Burnt offering and sin offering
you have not required.

Then I said, “Here I am;
in the scroll of the book it is written of me,
‘I delight to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart.’”

I have told the glad news of deliverance
in the great congregation;
see, I have not restrained my lips,
as you know, O Lord.

I have not hidden your saving help
within my heart,
I have spoken of your faithfulness
and your salvation;
I have not concealed your steadfast love
and your faithfulness
from the great congregation.

Photo of a flower

A Psalm of Hope by Deborah Beach Giordano

Psalm 40 as interpreted by Deborah

In the midst of my grief,
when I was mired
in hopelessness,
bogged down in despair,
in the depths of awful,
unbearable darkness ...
suddenly
God was there.

A radiant light,
unseen,
but felt;
more real
more powerful
more convincing
a greater truth ...
beyond description
but not
beyond belief.

Love surrounded me;
enflaming my heart
with courage.
I was no longer afraid
of demons below
angels above
or the variable creatures
who dwell in-between.

For I knew
beyond knowing
that what the prophets proclaimed
was true;
God is a passionate lover,
absolutely crazy
about us
forever and always.

As long as there is life,
there is hope;
as long as there is life,
there is God’s love;
and nothing
can separate us
from that love.
Nothing.

In that moment
the earth came alive —
I heard God
speak my name,
and I was
created anew;
raised up
from the mud.

And now
my heart sings,
my spirit dances,
my soul has wings —
I need weights in my shoes
to keep from soaring
into Heaven
from sheer delight.

Beyond our understanding,
beyond our imagination
is the Eternal One,
abundantly merciful,
utterly compassionate,
overflowing
with love
and joy.

What now seems obvious
was once painfully absent;
that blessed assurance,
the confident belief
that the Good News
is truly, indisputably,
completely
good.

But there are others,
O so many others,
who still live
in sorrow,
who dwell perpetually
in fear,
who can hardly breathe
for the pain ....

Gracious Creator,
Light above all Lights,
Joy of all Desiring,
why You called to me,
I do not know;
but here I am,
with all my heart,
ready to do Your will.

Give me wisdom, Holy Healer,
give me the strength,
the compassion,
and the words
to encourage
and bless all those
who stand
where I stood.
 

I pray that my psalm will inspire you in your walk of faith, and encourage you to sing your own authentic psalm to the Beloved.

Virtual hugs and real-time blessings,

Deborah +

This Week's Spiritual Exercise

Read some of the Psalms, and then try your hand at writing one (or more!). Don't be put off by any remarks by those pesky "internal critics" — whatever you create will be perfect; it is your very own hymn to God.