Psalms 40
1 Unto the end. A Psalm of David himself. I have waited expectantly for the Lord, and he was attentive to me.
For the leader. A psalm of David. For the Lord I waited and waited, till, inclining to me, he heard my cry.
2 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.
From the horrible pit he drew me, up out of the miry clay; he set my feet on a rock, and my steps he made firm.
3 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.
He put a new song in my mouth, of praise to our God. Many see it, and, filled with awe, put their trust in the Lord.
4 Blessed is the man whose hope is in the name of the Lord, and who has no respect for vanities and absurd falsehoods.
Happy the person who has put in the Lord their trust, not looking to false gods or turning to idols.
5 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.
With us you have wrought in rich measure, O Lord our God, your marvels and purposes for us – none may compare with you – were I to declare or to tell them, past counting are they.
6 Sacrifice and oblation, you did not want. But you have perfected ears for me. Holocaust and sin offering, you did not require.
In offerings bloody or bloodless you have no delight, but with open ears you have made me. Burnt-offering and offering for sin are not what you ask.
7 Then I said, “Behold, I draw near.” At the head of the book, it has been written of me:
Then said I, “Here I am, as the roll of the book has enjoined.
8 that I should do your will. My God, I have willed it. And your law is in the midst of my heart.
My delight, O God, is to do your will, and your law is within my heart.”
9 I have announced your justice in a great Church: behold, I will not restrain my lips. O Lord, you have known it.
Well, O Lord, you know that, with lips unrestrained, your righteousness I told in the great congregation,
10 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.
not hiding it in my heart. I have told of your steadfast help, from the great congregation I hid not your love and your faithfulness.
11 O Lord, do not take your tender mercies far from me. Your mercy and your truth ever sustain me.
So do not restrain, Lord, your pity from us. Your love and your faithfulness – ever may they be our shield.
12 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.
For evils that cannot be numbered have compassed me round. My transgressions have followed me up – I can bear it no more. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart has forsaken me.
13 Be pleased, O Lord, to rescue me. Look down, O Lord, to help me.
O Lord, be pleased to deliver me, haste to my help, O Lord.
14 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.
May those who are seeking my life be ashamed and confounded together; may those who delight in my hurt be defeated and brought to dishonor.
15 Let them bear their confusion all at once, who say to me, “Well, well.”
May those who hurrah over me be dumbfounded because of their shame.
16 Let all who seek you exult and rejoice over you. And let those who love your salvation always say, “May the Lord be magnified.”
But may all who seek after you rejoice and be glad in you. May all those eager for your aid, say, “Great is the Lord” evermore.
17 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.
I am weak and needy, yet the Lord cares for me. You are my help and deliverer; don’t delay, my God.
