St. John’s University, Collegivelle, MN, 56231 2006
Monday, June 22
By: Garrett Vickrey
Psalm 40
[From Psalms for a New World]
I have trusted You, Holy One
and waited for You.
When I was mired in misery
you touched me with your spirit.
You pulled me out
and set me on solid ground.
You put a song in my heart and work in my hands.
I praise you.
I know what you want from me,
and where the meaning of my life lies—
Not in rituals, offerings, sacrifices, or creeds,
just my heart; open to others, and open to You.
I try and live that way.
I fail often but you nudge and beckon and I follow.
I pray that my words, my song, my life
show forth your light and light others’ way.
May all who seek you find you.
Touch us with your spirit, that we may be glad.
I’m a huge U2 fan.
For almost a decade the rock band U2 ended every concert with “40”. 40 is their take on Psalm 40. Check YouTube and you will see countless concert videos of one of the most popular rock bands of all time leading thousands of people in singing an ancient verse.
Using the words of the psalm as lyrics they added a chorus to the words of the psalm:
I will sing
Sing a new song.
I will sing
Sing a new song.
How long
How long
How long
to sing this song
The ‘new’ chorus springs forth from the ancient verse.
“Lord you put a song in my heart.” This new song leads to new visions of possibility. The new song is the means of responding to the Lord of life. The new song is incarnational liturgy lived out day by day.
This psalm is a beautiful expression of trust and hope. It’s articulates the joy of life connected to the heart of fellowship. The psalmist expresses the idea that we are made for each other. Even in sorrow we are lifted by the hands of others or by our own willingness to reach out and be lifted. Through this we know God’s presence. Even miry bogs become the rock of ages.
Today— is there a song you need stuck in your head to lift you up from the pit? Is there a song new or old whose rhythms will get your feet moving in the way you are called?
For me the old song that best envisions hope for the new song of the Kingdom of God is the hymn, “The Church’s One Foundation”. The third verse ends with these words:
Yet saint their watch are keeping, their cries goes up, “How long?”
And soon the night of weeping shall be the morn of song.
May this new song fill our minds today with possibilities and fill our hearts with the warmth of God’s kingdom.