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(Sing this with me, this is 40)
I waited patiently for the Lord
He inclined and heard my cry
He lift me up out of the pit
Out of the mire and clay
I will sing, sing a new song
I will sing, sing a new song
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How long to sing this song?
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How long...to sing this song
He 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
(Sing it!)
How long to sing this song?
How long to sing this song?
How long...how long...how long...
How long...to sing this song
I waited patiently for the Lord
He inclined and heard my cry
He lift me up out of the pit
Out of the mire and 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
He 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
(Sing it!)
How long to sing this song?
How long to sing this song?
How long...how long...how long...
How long...to sing this song
Lyrics submitted by archmastermind
Track duration: 06:47
""40"" as written by Ginny Owens
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I don't know the guy, and considering the time taken to write this song, perhaps the group didn't even know what it meant to them. If anything, I'm sure it means something different to them now then when they wrote it, and I imagine each of them may have a different interpretation. I like to rather look to the similar themes in this, "Sunday Bloody Sunday", and later, "One". It sounds like though they are all different songs, they are also one.
30 years and counting, and though we all share some of the same values, not everyone, all the time, is willing to let others into the dialogue...without making them crawl.
I expect there have been misguided/evil things done in the name of all religions, because organized religion is made up of a bunch people. And people don't always do the right thing (yes, that includes you & I, and that other guy over there who looks and talks different than us). Put away your hurt, no need to inspire fear. Have an open mind, realize that in any conflict every party contributes, seek to understand, forgive, and love your fellow human beings.
Bono, you'll just have to keep singing your song as long as you can...and others will continue singing it long after.
Psalm 40:6 Sacrifice and offering You do not desire, {nor} have You delight in them; You have given me the capacity to hear {and} obey [Your law, a more valuable service than] burnt offerings and sin offerings [which] You do not require.
What this verse basically means is that people who go to church, pray in the name of Jesus, say that we're Christians and do things in "then name of Jesus", it all means nothing unless we walk the Christian life out. The Lord does not need us to fight His battles for Him. His will is perfect and does not return void despite all our best efforts not because of them.
This is a cry of human anguish and humility that realizes that, not only is the psalmist guilty of some sin himself, he is also being persecuted on all sides by others perhaps in even greater sin. Perhaps he thinks he reaping what he sowed? He's acknowledging God's sovereignty, establishing his own humility and asking for mercy no matter what the cause of the pain or source of the sin.
There's really no irony in here. Sin is present whether we're the cause, others are the cause or it's the will of the Prince of this World. It's no one's "fault". Christianity does not involve the concept of "karma". Sometimes the sin in this world just "is". The psalmist in this psalm is just seeking mercy and the assurance that his relationship with God is still intact and waiting for a reassuring reply.
p.s. LLAMAS ARE AWSOME!
Throughout scripture, the number 40 is used to symbolize patience - 40 days and nights of the flood, 40 years of wandering through the desert, etc.
Although I think Bono's main purpose was probably to tie back to Sunday Bloody Sunday, which serves as a great ending to their album, and even gives a bit of hope and inspiration to stay optimistic.
I mean Bono.
When U2 recorded "40" they were under pressure because of the time was running out and were about be kicked out of the studio. Adam was absent so Edge plays both the guitar and bass parts. The bass line reminds me of some Joy Divsion song whree the bass is in the front of the mix. Depsipte the lack of time when recordning this song it gives no sign of rush or haste, its very warm and gentle. I think they´re doing their best work when under pressure.
And some comments on some other posts here. U2 are not first artists that are using religion and faith in their work. There are a lot of artists, poets, writers and painters who have used biblical imagery in their art. So I do not understand why that would be so bad. It´s good to have different points of view, especially in religion and faith.