The Third Week of Advent: Tuesday

Today's reading is Psalm 40. Here are David's words in the first eight verses:

I waited patiently for the Lord;
he inclined to me and heard my cry.
He drew me up from the desolate pit,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
making my steps secure.
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.
Happy are those who make
the Lord their trust,
who do not turn to the proud,
to those who go astray after false gods.
You have multiplied, O Lord my God,
your wondrous deeds and your thoughts towards us;
none can compare with you.
Were I to proclaim and tell of them,
they would be more than can be counted.
Sacrifice and offering you do not desire,
but you have given me an open ear.
Burnt-offering and sin-offering
you have not required.
Then I said, ‘Here I am;
in the scroll of the book it is written of me.^*
I delight to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart.’ ^{2357 8}

• These words tell of the king's vindication—his deliverance from the pit of despair.
  

• In turn, the king makes a proclamation—a new song of praise that celebrates the benefits of trusting in God.
  

• Finally, we see the king's dedication—he delights in doing God's will from the heart, not simply offering external sacrifices.

The King who came for us in the Incarnation, the King of kings, came to fulfill his Father's plan as it was written "in the scroll of the book." Throughout his life and ministry he announced the Good News of God's wondrous works; his invasion of history to bring salvation and make the world new. Ultimately, though rejected by his own, God raised him up from the pit of death and gave him all authority in heaven and on earth. As we look to him and give him our heart's loyalty, we share in his victory now and forever.

"Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord."