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.

I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined to me, and heard my cry.

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.

He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet on a rock, and established my goings.

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 has put a new song in my mouth, even praise to our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust 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 that man that makes the LORD his trust, and respects not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

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.

Many, O LORD my God, are your wonderful works which you have done, and your thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order to you: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.

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 offering you did not desire; my ears have you opened: burnt offering and sin offering have you not required.

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

Then said I, See, I come: in the volume 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.

I delight to do your will, O my God: yes, your law is within 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 preached righteousness in the great congregation: see, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, you know.

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 your righteousness within my heart; I have declared your faithfulness and your salvation: I have not concealed your loving kindness and your truth from the great congregation.

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

Withhold not you your tender mercies from me, O LORD: let your loving kindness and your truth continually preserve 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 innumerable evils have compassed me about: my iniquities have taken hold on me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of my head: therefore my heart fails 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: O LORD, make haste 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 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.

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

Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say to me, Aha, aha.

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 those that seek you rejoice and be glad in you: let such as love your salvation say continually, 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 poor and needy; yet the Lord thinks on me: you are my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.