Chapter Summary

God's salvation extolled and prayer for deliverance.

Discussion Questions for Psalms, Chapter 40

1. What does this chapter teach us about what patience can look like? How does this chapter challenge your understanding of patience? What teachings and truths was your mind refreshed on and what things were new?
2. Psalm 40:2, "He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure." (ESV) If you have committed your life to Christ, how would you describe in your own words a time that God has delivered you out of your suffering?
3. Psalm 40:3, "He put a new song in my mouth,a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD." (ESV) What does the new song represent in this passage? What kind of testimony is David displaying here?
4. Psalm 40:4, "Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie!" (ESV) How does this verse connect The Lord as the standard for moral conduct? Why does David describe the opposite of God’s way as a lie?
5. Psalm 40:5, "You have multiplied, O LORD my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told." (ESV) Have you ever felt you did not have the words to describe all that God has done? How does this verse display the vastness of God’s character?
6. Psalm 40:6, "In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required." (ESV) How can we understand this verse in light of today’s context? Where do you find the same heart posture today?
7. How does Psalm 40:9-10 highlight the beauty of declaring what God has done in one’s life? How does David do that here? Is there someone you can share your testimony with this week? Is there anyone in your life whose testimony you could listen to?
8. What principles from David’s plea for deliverance in Psalm 40:13-15 can you apply to your life this week?
9. Psalm 40:16, "But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, "Great is the LORD!" (ESV) When you consider the word "continually", what do you picture? What would continually saying in your heart, "God is great", change for you? What sort of growth of praise does this passage promote?
10. Psalm 40:17, "As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God!" (ESV) What does David mean when he says he is "poor and needy"? Is this a literal description of himself or his heart posture? What does this teach us both about David and the way we make our requests to God?

Key Words/Phrase

Praise and prayer, vv. 3, 13.

Characters

God, David.

Strong Verse(s)

2, 16.