Psalms 40

1 For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; He inclined to me and heard my cry.

For the leader. A psalm of David. For the Lord I waited and waited, till, inclining to me, he heard my cry.

2 He lifted me up from the pit of despair, out of the miry clay; He set my feet upon a rock, and made my footsteps firm.

From the horrible pit he drew me, up out of the miry clay; he set my feet on a rock, and my steps he made firm.

3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.

He put a new song in my mouth, of praise to our God. Many see it, and, filled with awe, put their trust in the Lord.

4 Blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust, who has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood.

Happy the person who has put in the Lord their trust, not looking to false gods or turning to idols.

5 Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders You have done, and the plans You have for us— none can compare to You— if I proclaim and declare them, they are more than I can count.

With us you have wrought in rich measure, O Lord our God, your marvels and purposes for us – none may compare with you – were I to declare or to tell them, past counting are they.

6 Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but my ears You have opened. Burnt offerings and sin offerings You did not require.

In offerings bloody or bloodless you have no delight, but with open ears you have made me. Burnt-offering and offering for sin are not what you ask.

7 Then I said, “Here I am, I have come— it is written about me in the scroll:

Then said I, “Here I am, as the roll of the book has enjoined.

8 I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart.”

My delight, O God, is to do your will, and your law is within my heart.”

9 I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; behold, I do not seal my lips, as You, O LORD, do know.

Well, O Lord, you know that, with lips unrestrained, your righteousness I told in the great congregation,

10 I have not covered up Your righteousness in my heart; I have declared Your faithfulness and salvation; I have not concealed Your loving devotion and faithfulness from the great assembly.

not hiding it in my heart. I have told of your steadfast help, from the great congregation I hid not your love and your faithfulness.

11 O LORD, do not withhold Your mercy from me; Your loving devotion and faithfulness will always guard me.

So do not restrain, Lord, your pity from us. Your love and your faithfulness – ever may they be our shield.

12 For evils without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, so that I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart has failed within me.

For evils that cannot be numbered have compassed me round. My transgressions have followed me up – I can bear it no more. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart has forsaken me.

13 Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me; hurry, O LORD, to help me.

O Lord, be pleased to deliver me, haste to my help, O Lord.

14 May those who seek my life be ashamed and confounded; may those who wish me harm be repelled and humiliated.

May those who are seeking my life be ashamed and confounded together; may those who delight in my hurt be defeated and brought to dishonor.

15 May those who say to me, “Aha, aha!” be appalled at their own shame.

May those who hurrah over me be dumbfounded because of their shame.

16 May all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; may those who love Your salvation always say, “The LORD be magnified!”

But may all who seek after you rejoice and be glad in you. May all those eager for your aid, say, “Great is the Lord” evermore.

17 But I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my helper and deliverer; O my God, do not delay.

I am weak and needy, yet the Lord cares for me. You are my help and deliverer; don’t delay, my God.