1 I waited patiently for the Lord;
he inclined to me and heard my cry.
2 He drew me up from the desolate pit,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
making my steps secure.
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.
Reflection
We all experience seasons when life feels muddy and heavy—when every step seems to slip, every effort sinks, and progress feels impossible. In those moments, we may feel stuck in what David calls a “pit of death,” a place where hope feels distant and strength feels thin.
It’s during times like these that reaching out matters most. We need the help of friends and family, and even more importantly, we need to stay connected to God. These are often the very moments when we’re tempted to isolate ourselves or drift from prayer. But David reminds us in Psalm 40 that when we place our hope in the Lord, God does not remain distant. God leans down, hears our cries, and lifts us out of the pit. Where there was mud and filth, God gives us solid rock. Where our legs trembled, God steadies our steps.
Those who walk through hardship with God—and come out the other side—carry some of the most powerful testimonies. David says that when God delivers us, God places a new song in our mouths. Our stories of struggle and rescue can inspire others, and through our witness, many will come to trust the Lord.
by Manny Estevez
For Pondering and Prayer
Have you ever gone through a season where you felt trapped in a “pit”? How did God help you climb out?
Who walked beside you during that time? Have you shared that testimony with someone who might need to hear it?
Prayer: Loving God, we thank you that you hear our cries no matter where we find ourselves—whether we are stuck in a pit or standing on a mountaintop. You love us, you stand with us, and you desire to guide us each day. As we continue our journeys in this world, help us trust that You will set our feet on solid ground. Give us the courage and the words to sing songs of praise for Your love and grace, and to share our testimony with those who may be trying to climb out of their own pits. In the loving name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
