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 for David himself. With expectation I have waited 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 brought me out of the pit of misery and the mire of dregs. And he set my feet upon a rock, and 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 put a new canticle into my mouth, a song to our God. Many shall see, and shall fear: and they shall 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 trust is in the name of the Lord; and who hath not had regard to vanities, and lying follies.

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.

Thou hast multiplied thy wonderful works, O Lord my God: and in thy thoughts there is no one like to thee. I have declared and I have spoken they are multiplied above 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 thou didst not desire; but thou hast pierced ears for me. Burnt offering and sin offering thou didst not require:

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

Then said I, Behold I come. In the head of the book it is 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 thy will: O my God, I have desired it, and thy law 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 declared thy justice in a great church, lo, I will not restrain my lips: O Lord, thou knowest 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 hid thy justice within my heart: I have declared thy truth and thy salvation. I have not concealed thy mercy and thy truth from a great council.

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

Withhold not thou, O Lord, thy tender mercies from me: thy mercy and thy truth have always upheld 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 overtaken me, and I was not able to see. They are multiplied above the hairs of my head: and my heart hath 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 deliver 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 be confounded and ashamed together, that seek after my soul to take it away. Let them be turned backward and be ashamed that desire evils to me.

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

Let them immediately bear their confusion, that say to me: Tis well, tis 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 that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say always: 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 is careful for me. Thou art my helper and my protector: O my God, be not slack.