Psalm 40

Your law is within my heart.

Read/pray the psalm. (Full text at bottom.)

The Hebrew letter vav, copied

• Hebrews 10:7 applies this verse to Christ: He (alone) followed the law of God perfectly.

• But there is so much more here than simply ticking another “Prophecy accomplished” box!

• The law exists in the eternal mind of God.

• The law is given to Moses on Mt. Sinai.

• It is read and copied and memorized and contemplated—over centuries.

• It is Jesus’ heart—the center of his person, his spirit, his will—to “delight to do your will, O my God!”

• Because of course, it is his law—he is God, made man.

• And he lives it, flawlessly, joyfully, completely.

• And finally his spirit, the Holy Spirit, lives in every human heart made new, so that it is repeated there too!

So…

• The Hebrew letter vav has many symbolic meanings tied to God’s law (Torah) in Jewish thought, including as a ‘hook’ connecting heaven and earth. (See images above.)

• In handwriting, it is written just like our lower-case L, or the number 1—a simple vertical line.

• Draw it over your heart. Put your hand over your heart.

• The Spirit of Christ has made you new and lives in you, empowering you to do God’s will.

• Pray:

Blessed Lord, who caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and the comfort of your holy Word we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Psalm 40
Expectans expectavi

1	I waited patiently for the Lord, *
		and he inclined to me, and heard my call.
2	He brought me out of the horrible pit, out of the mire and clay; *
		he set my feet upon the rock, and secured my footing.
3	He has put a new song in my mouth, * 
		a song of thanksgiving unto our God.
4	Many shall see and fear, *
		and shall put their trust in the Lord.
5	Blessed is the man who has set his hope in the Lord, * 
		and has not turned to the proud, or to those who go about lying.
6	O Lord my God, great are the wondrous works which you have done, and also your thoughts toward us; *
		there is none who can be compared with you.
7	If I should declare them and speak of them, *
		they would be more than I am able to express.
8	Sacrifice and offering you do not desire, * 
		but my ears you have opened.
9	Burnt offerings and sin offerings you have not required, * 
		and so I said, “Behold, I come;
10	In the volume of the book it is written of me, that I delight to do your will, O my God; *
		indeed, your law is within my heart.”
11	I have declared your righteousness in the great congregation; * 
		behold, I will not restrain my lips, O Lord, and that you know.
12	I have not hidden your righteousness within my heart; *
		my talk has been of your truth and of your salvation.
13	I have not concealed your loving mercy and truth * 
		from the great congregation.
14	Withdraw not your mercy from me, O Lord; *
		let your loving-kindness and your truth always preserve me.
15	For innumerable troubles have encompassed me; my sins have taken such hold of me that I am not able to look up; *
		indeed, they are more in number than the hairs of my head, and my heart has utterly failed me.
16	O Lord, let it be your pleasure to deliver me; * 
		make haste, O Lord, to help me.
17	Let them be ashamed and confounded who seek after my soul to destroy it; *
		let them be driven backward and rebuked who wish me evil.
18	Let them be desolate and rewarded with shame *
		who say to me, “Aha, Aha.”
19	Let all those who seek you be joyful and glad in you; *
		and let those who love your salvation say always, “The Lord be praised.”
20	As for me, I am poor and needy, * 
		but the Lord cares for me.
21	You are my helper and deliverer; * 
		do not tarry, O my God.

New Coverdale Psalter