My devotional commentary on the Psalms (Awake O Harp) will be published in February. This meditation on Psalm 40 is excerpted from the commentary, and is appropriate for Christmas.
Much has been written about the Messianic Psalms. Some argue that no psalms are Messianic because they all refer to David or some other psalmist. Others argue that every psalm is Messianic because of Luke 24:44. There certainly are more Messianic Psalms than those directly quoted in the NT. This is because of the pervasive role of the Davidic Covenant in the Psalms (2 Sam. 7:10–14), and because of the numerous references to the ideal King and Anointed One (Ps. 2:2). Perhaps it is best to refer to explicit Messianic Psalms like the one here, and implicit Messianic Psalms that anticipate that ideal Messianic King that David typifies (Psalm 24, e.g.).
Sailhamer comments on the Messianic nature of this psalm: “Curiously, Psalm 39 concludes on a note of despair, but it is followed in Psalm 40 with an account of God’s answer to David’s prayer and the assurance of God’s promise to send a deliverer. Psalm 40:1–5 points to a deliverance promised for the future (v. 5). That leads David to recall what was written “in the scroll of the book” (the Pentateuch) about God’s promised deliverer, the Messiah. It was there that Israel was taught that God did not desire ‘sacrifice and offering’ but rather service, exemplified by the piercing of the ear (Ex. 21:6). This type of obedience ultimately comes from the heart (Deut. 30:6).”
Verses 6–8 are explicitly cited in Hebrews 10:5–7. Consistent with His portrayal throughout Hebrews, Jesus is described there as The Ultimate Sacrifice. Jesus the Messiah came to hear God’s will (the “open ear” in Isa. 50:4–6) and to do God’s will (the “prepared body”). His body was prepared in Mary’s womb by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:26–38; Isa. 7:14). Jesus delighted to do the Father’s will because the Word was in His heart (John 4:34; 8:29). If you delight in God’s Word, you will delight in God’s will (Ps. 1:1–3). Jesus the Messiah is the sacrifice for sins that God has appointed, and in His death, He fulfilled the Old Testament sacrifices. His one sacrifice has settled the sin question once and for all.
The psalm has illumined the cross as the true sacrifice, the self-offering which by the Father’s will brings the salvation of many. In all the sufferings which still beset the people of God, the good news of that royal sacrifice provides the strength to pray and to hope, and in the end to rejoice in the Lord the deliverer.
“O Messiah Jesus, who took for me the way of sacrifice, deliver me from my innumerable offences. Graft Your teaching within my heart, that I may live to rejoice in You, and ever declare the good news of Your salvation. AMEN.”
Each psalm in the commentary is followed with a prayer like this one.