External and internal:
Internal pits can be much worse than physical ones. Stuck in a physical pit, one can diligently search for a way out. If they are lucky enough, they can come out on their own or with someone else’s help. As with the prophet Jeremiah, the bible says that in the days of King Zedekiah, he warned the people of a great famine that would come if they did not surrender to the king of Babylon. Zedekiah became angry with the prophet, so he ordered him to be dropped into a pit. Jeremiah waited on the Lord for his deliverance. God put it into Eded-melech to intervene for the prophet and take him out of the pit (Jer 38:11-13). The old rags were soft, and they were carefully led down to the prophet. Hosea says that God drew back his people with cords of love (Ho 11:4). Waiting on God’s deliverance is done after one has prayed. It requires patience (Ps 37:7, 27:14). One experiences God’s goodness when they wait (La 3:25), and their strengths become renewed (Is 40:31).
Psalms 40:1-3
40 I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
2 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.
3 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.
David was stuck in an internal, horrible pit, of which the only one that could take him out was the Lord. External pits: most of the time, other humans can help us come out. But internal ones are spiritual, and the only one who can rescue us is the Lord. Like most internal pits, we might know why we are stuck in them, but we cannot come out. Pits represent deep emotional or spiritual struggles. Psalm 88:6 describes it as a place of darkness where anxiety and depression reign. We don’t know how long David was in the pit. Sometimes being stuck in a pit can last days, weeks, months, or years. But the thing is for sure, and that is God can take anyone who waits for him out.
The phrase, “He brought me up also,” refers to being taken up, as to how Eded-melech rescued Jeremiah. Jeremiah, after he was taken out of the pit, was placed in jail. But when God takes us out of those internal pits, he places us on the rock: Jesus Christ, the place of restoration. Peter says that Christ is the cornerstone, and that whoever believes in him will not be confounded (1 Pe 2:6). David said that once God took him out of that horrible pit, he established his goings (Ps 37:23). God put a new song in David after he was taken out of the pit. God puts A fresh song, one with deeper meaning and inspiration (Heb 13:15), after the deliverance from the pit.
Jeremiah 38:11-13
11 So Ebedmelech took the men with him, and went into the house of the king under the treasury, and took thence old cast clouts and old rotten rags, and let them down by cords into the dungeon to Jeremiah. 12 And Ebedmelech the Ethiopian said unto Jeremiah, Put now these old cast clouts and rotten rags under thine armholes under the cords. And Jeremiah did so. 13 So they drew up Jeremiah with cords, and took him up out of the dungeon: and Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison.
Hosea 11:4
4 I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them.
Psalms 37:7
7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
Psalms 27:14
14 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.
Lamentations 3:25
25 The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
Isaiah 40:31
31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
1 Peter 2:6
6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
Psalms 37:23
23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.
Hebrews 13:15
15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.