Andrew Forrest

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"40"

Psalm 40

The power of U2’s “40” comes from its refusal to neatly resolve. But life itself lacks neat resolution, and so the song mirrors life perfectly. Life has times for praise—”I will sing, sing a new song”—and times for perseverance—”How long, to sing this song?”—and these times follow after one another in this life until the Lord calls us home.

I think “40” is my favorite artistic reworking of a psalm, or at least the one that has had the greatest influence on me.

The video below is from the legendary U2 show at Red Rocks on June 5, 1983, which almost didn’t happen.

Enjoy. Happy Friday, everyone.



40

I waited patiently for the Lord.
He inclined and heard my cry.
He brought me up out of the pit
Out of the miry clay.

I will sing, sing a new song.
I will sing, sing a new song.
How long to sing this song?
How long to sing this song?
How long, how long, how long
How long to sing this song?

You set my feet upon a rock
And made my footsteps firm.
Many will see, many will see and hear.

I will sing, sing a new song.
I will sing, sing a new song
I will sing, sing a new song.
I will sing, sing a new song
How long to sing this song? 
How long to sing this song? 
How long to sing this song? 
How long to sing this song?