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.

“For the leader of the music. A psalm of David.” I trusted steadfastly in the LORD, And he listened, 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 drew me out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay; He set my feet upon a rock, And made my steps firm.

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.

He hath put into my mouth a new song, A song of praise to our God. Many shall see, and fear, And put their 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.

Happy the man who maketh the LORD his trust, And resorteth not to men of pride and falsehood!

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 the wonderful works which thou hast done; Many have been thy gracious purposes towards us; None can be compared to thee! Would I declare and rehearse 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.

In sacrifice and oblation thou hast no pleasure; Mine ears thou hast opened; Burnt-offering and sin-offering thou requirest not.

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

Therefore I said, “Lo, I come; In the scroll of the book it is prescribed to me;

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

O my God! to do thy will is my delight, And thy law dwelleth in 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 proclaimed thy righteousness in the great assembly; Lo, I have not restrained my lips, O LORD! thou knowest!

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 hide not thy justice in my heart; I declare thy faithfulness and thy salvation; I conceal not thy mercy and truth from the great assembly.

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

Withdraw not from me thy tender mercies, O LORD! May thy loving-kindness and thy 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 evils without number have encompassed me; My iniquities have overtaken me; I cannot see the end of them; They are more than the hairs of my head, And my heart dieth within me.

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

May it please thee, O LORD! to deliver me! O LORD! make haste to mine aid!

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.

May they all be confounded and covered with shame Who seek to take away my life! Let them be driven back with disgrace Who desire to do me injury!

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

Let them be overwhelmed with confusion Who cry out 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.

But let all who seek thee Be glad and rejoice in thee! Let those who love thy protection Ever say, “Great is Jehovah!”

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.

I am poor and afflicted, yet the Lord thinketh upon me; Thou art my help and my deliverer; My God! make no delay!