Psalms 40

1 To the chief music-maker. Of David. A Psalm. When I was waiting quietly for the Lord, his heart was turned to me, and he gave ear to my cry.

Unto the end. A Psalm of David himself. I have waited expectantly for the Lord, and he was attentive to me.

2 He took me up out of a deep waste place, out of the soft and sticky earth; he put my feet on a rock, and made my steps certain.

And he heard my prayers and he led me out of the pit of misery and the quagmire. And he stationed my feet upon a rock, and he directed my steps.

3 And he put a new song in my mouth, even praise to our God; numbers have seen it with fear, and put their faith in the Lord.

And he sent a new canticle into my mouth, a song to our God. Many will see, and they will fear; and they will hope in the Lord.

4 Happy is the man who has faith in the Lord, and does not give honour to the men of pride or to those who are turned away to deceit.

Blessed is the man whose hope is in the name of the Lord, and who has no respect for vanities and absurd falsehoods.

5 O Lord my God, great are the wonders which you have done in your thought for us; it is not possible to put them out in order before you; when I would give an account of them, their number is greater than I may say.

You have accomplished your many wonders, O Lord my God, and there is no one similar to you in your thoughts. I have announced and I have spoken: they are multiplied beyond number.

6 You had no desire for offerings of beasts or fruits of the earth; ears you made for me: for burned offerings and sin offerings you made no request.

Sacrifice and oblation, you did not want. But you have perfected ears for me. Holocaust and sin offering, you did not require.

7 Then I said, See, I come; it is recorded of me in the roll of the book,

Then I said, “Behold, I draw near.” At the head of the book, it has been written of me:

8 My delight is to do your pleasure, O my God; truly, your law is in my heart.

that I should do your will. My God, I have willed it. And your law is in the midst of my heart.

9 I have given news of righteousness in the great meeting; O Lord, you have knowledge that I have not kept back my words.

I have announced your justice in a great Church: behold, I will not restrain my lips. O Lord, you have known it.

10 Your righteousness has not been folded away in my heart; I have made clear your true word and your salvation; I have not kept secret your mercy or your faith from the great meeting.

I have not concealed your justice within my heart. I have spoken your truth and your salvation. I have not concealed your mercy and your truth from a great assembly.

11 Take not away your gentle mercies from me, O Lord; let your mercy and your faith keep me safe for ever.

O Lord, do not take your tender mercies far from me. Your mercy and your truth ever sustain me.

12 For unnumbered evils are round about me; my sins have overtaken me, so that I am bent down with their weight; they are more than the hairs of my head, my strength is gone because of them.

For evils without number have surrounded me. My iniquities have taken hold of me, and I was not able to see. They have been multiplied beyond the hairs of my head. And my heart has forsaken me.

13 Be pleased, O Lord, to take me out of danger; O Lord, come quickly and give me help.

Be pleased, O Lord, to rescue me. Look down, O Lord, to help me.

14 Let those who go after my soul for its destruction have shame and trouble together; let them be turned back and made foolish who take pleasure in my trouble.

Let them together be confounded and awed, who seek after my soul to steal it away. Let them be turned back and be in awe, who wish evils upon me.

15 Let those who say to me, Aha, aha! be surprised because of their shame.

Let them bear their confusion all at once, who say to me, “Well, well.”

16 Let all those who are looking for you be glad and have joy in you; let the lovers of your salvation ever say, May the Lord be great.

Let all who seek you exult and rejoice over you. And let those who love your salvation always say, “May the Lord be magnified.”

17 Though I am poor and in need, the Lord has me in mind; you are my help and my saviour; let there be no waiting, O my God.

But I am a beggar and poor. The Lord has been concerned about me. You are my helper and my protector. My God, do not delay.