Psalm 40:3 And he has put a new song in my mouth, even praise to our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. I. We have here A MAN WONDERING TO FIND HIMSELF SINGING. God had put a new song into his mouth, and it was a marvel even to himself. What makes you wonder so? Other people sing: why is it at all a wonder that you should? He answers, "It is a wonder that I should sing, because I have been so used to sighing. I had my evening moans and groans, for sin was heavy upon me, and an angry God seemed to make the darkness about me a darkness that might be felt. Had you seen me then, you would not think it strange that I should be a wonder to myself that now I sing." Well, I can see why you are astonished at your singing; is there any other reason? "Yes," he answers, "if you had known me a little farther back, before I came under the hand of God, and was awakened to a sense of sin, you would have known a fellow that could sing; but the wonder now is that I can sing ' a new song.' I am glad, sir, that you did not hear me sing in those days, for my songs would have done you no good. It is not only called a new song because it is new to us, but because it is so uncommon. Rich and rare things are often called in the Bible new. There is a new covenant, a new commandment, etc. And, oh, the praises of God are indeed rich and rare! And, truth to tell, there is a wonder about our new song because it is always new. Do you ever tire — you who love your Lord — do you ever tire of Him? You who praise Him, do you ever weary of singing His praises? II. We have here A MAN WHO IS RESOLVED TO KEEP ON SINGING, for, you notice, he says, "He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see, and fear, add shall trust in the Lord"; so that this man means to keep on singing. I must have you back again, old friend, and ask you why it is that you mean to keep on singing. He answers, first, "Because I cannot help it." When God sets a man singing, he must sing. Good Rowland Hill once had sitting on the pulpit-stairs a person who sang with such a cracked, squeaking voice that it put the dear man out of heart; and this person with the cracked voice of course sang more loudly than anybody else. So Mr. Hill said to him, while the hymn was being sung, "Be quiet, my good man, you make such a dreadful noise that you put us all out." "Oh!" said the man, "I am singing from my heart, Mr. Hill." "I beg your pardon, my friend," said the preacher, "go on, go on, go on with your singing if it comes from your heart." So we would not stop any man, whatever his voice is, if he sings from his heart. But do not sing before everybody; perhaps it would be casting pearls before swine. "Oh!" says he, "but I must; I mean to sing before many." Why? "Well, I used to sing before many in my evil days. I was not ashamed to sing for the devil. When I ought to have been ashamed I was not; and now that I ought not to be ashamed, I will not be ashamed, and I will sing. Besides, why should I be so tender and considerate of their nerves? They are not thoughtful about mine." Still, do you think that it is worth while to sing at this rate? "Yes," says he, "I do, for I believe that it is good for them to hear it." Do you? What good can it do them? And he answers me thus. "Look at your text, sir, and you will not need to ask me that question; what does your text say? .... Many shall see, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord." ( C. H. Spurgeon.) Parallel Verses KJV: And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. |
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