Title: Artist: U2 Song: 40 Album: Singles - ID: 34105 - Date and time (posted): 2004-07-10 02:06:26
To comment on this song's lyrics (Or read other people's comments), Please scroll down
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
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
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
Ian's take on "40":
This is Psalm 40, which inspired
the verses:
I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. 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. Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered. Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. Then said I, 'Lo, I come: in the volumeof the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.' I have preached righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy slavation; I have not concealed thy loving kindness and thy truth from the great congregation. Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O Lord: let thy loving kindness and thy truth continually preserve me. For innumberable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of
mine head; therefore my heart faileth me. Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me: O Lord, make haste to help me. Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil . Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, 'Aha, aha.' Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let much as love thy salvation say continually, 'The Lord be magnified.' But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.
Little bit longer than what U2 took to use in their song, lol, but I think they got the right vibe. Now, here is Psalm 6, which they used to inspire the chorus:
O Lord, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure. Have mercy upon me, O Lord; for I am weak: O Lord, heal me; for my bones are vexed. My soul is also sore vexed; but thou, O Lord, how long? Return, O Lord, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies' sake. For in death there is no rememberance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks? I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears. Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxeth old because of all mine enembies. Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping. The lord hath heard my supplication; the Lord will recieve my prayer. Let all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vexed: let them return and be ashamed suddenly.
For Bono, the phrase "How long?" has a lot of meaning. As he said in his introduction to the book of Psalsms: "'40' became teh closing song at U2 shows and on hundreds of occasions, literally hundreds of thousands of people of every size and shape t-shirt have shouted back the refrain pinched from 'Psalm 6': 'How long (to sing this song.' I thought of it as a nagging question - pulling at the hem of an invisible deity whose presence we glimpse only when we act in love. How long...hunger? How long...hatred? How long until creation grows up and the chaos of its precocious, hell-bent adolescence has been discarded? I thought it odd that the vocalising of such questions could bring such comfort; to me too."
There is something bout this song that is so mellow and soothing. I am not a Christian myself, but this song has such a vibe and such an intent that I cannot help but be calmed by it. There isn't really a whole lot else that I can say about it myself, since it has a very specific meaning, as stated in the Psalms. If you ever get the chance to listen to the rendition they did at the Point Depot in Dublin on December 31, 1989, go for it. Bono has so much verve and feeling, the band is in perfect form, it is well worth it.
You are not logged in, You may post comments with your name above, the name will be attached to the comments but the official poster will be GUEST, If you would like to register, Registration is free and takes seconds
All lyrics are property and copyright of their owners. All lyrics provided for educational purposes only.
Thank you for using Lyrics And Songs.
CONTACT US
Free Music
MP3 Ringtones
Special Offer