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 Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. I waited patiently for the LORD. He turned 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 a horrible pit, out of the miry clay. He set my feet on a rock, and gave me a firm place to stand.

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 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 the man who makes the LORD his trust, and doesn’t respect the proud, nor such as turn away 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, LORD, my God, are the wonderful works which you have done, and your thoughts which are towards us. They can’t be declared back to you. If I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be counted.

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 didn’t desire. You have opened my ears. You have not required burnt offering and sin offering.

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

Then I said, “Behold, I have come. It is written about me in the book in the scroll.

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

I delight to do your will, my God. Yes, your Torah 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 proclaimed glad news of righteousness in the great assembly. Behold, I will not seal my lips, 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 hidden 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 assembly.

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

Don’t withhold your tender mercies from me, 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 surrounded me. My iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to look up. They are more than the hairs of my head. My heart has failed me.

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

Be pleased, LORD, to deliver me. Hurry to help me, LORD.

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 disappointed and confounded together who seek after my soul to destroy it. Let them be turned backward and brought to dishonour who delight in my hurt.

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

Let them be desolate by reason of their shame that tell 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 who seek you rejoice and be glad in you. Let such as love your salvation say continually, “Let the LORD be exalted!”

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. May the Lord think about me. You are my help and my deliverer. Don’t delay, my God.