Psalms 40

1 To the chief Musician. Of David. A Psalm. I waited patiently for Jehovah; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

For the music director. A psalm of David. I waited for the Lord patiently, and he turned to me—he heard my cry for help.

2 And he brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock; he hath established my goings:

He pulled me out of the pit of destruction, out from the mud and the slime. He set me on a rock, and gave me a safe place to stand.

3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, praise unto our God. Many shall see it, and fear, and shall confide in Jehovah.

He gave me a new song to sing, a song of praise to our God. Many people will see and be in awe, and they will put their trust in him.

4 Blessed is the man that hath made Jehovah his confidence, and turneth not to the proud, and to such as turn aside to lies.

Happy are those who trust in the Lord, who do not look for help from the arrogant or from those who worship idols.

5 Thou, O Jehovah my God, hast multiplied thy marvellous works, and thy thoughts toward us: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee; would I declare and speak [them], they are more than can be numbered.

Lord my God, you have done so many wonderful things for us, and you have so many plans for us. No one compares to you. I want to tell all that you've done—blessings too many to count.

6 Sacrifice and oblation thou didst not desire: ears hast thou prepared me. Burnt-offering and sin-offering hast thou not demanded;

You don't want sacrifices and offerings. Now you have helped me understand—you're not asking for burnt offerings or sin offerings.

7 Then said I, Behold, I come, in the volume of the book it is written of me —

Then I said, “Look! Here I am! I've come to do what is written about me in the scroll of the Book.

8 To do thy good pleasure, my God, is my delight, and thy law is within my heart.

I am pleased to do your will, my God—your Law guides my mind.”

9 I have published righteousness in the great congregation: behold, I have not withheld my lips, Jehovah, thou knowest.

I have announced the good news of salvation to the whole congregation. I don't keep quiet, Lord, as you know.

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

I have not kept the truth of your goodness hidden inside me—I have spoken of your trustworthiness and your salvation. I have not concealed your unfailing love and your faithfulness from the whole congregation.

11 Withhold not thou, Jehovah, thy tender mercies from me; let thy loving-kindness and thy truth continually preserve me.

Lord, please don't keep back your mercy from me. May your trustworthy love and faithfulness always be my protection.

12 For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I cannot see; they are more than the hairs of my head: and my heart hath failed me.

For I'm experiencing so many problems—I can't even count them! My sins have piled up so high I can't see over them. They're more than the number of hairs on my head! I feel like giving up!

13 Be pleased, O Jehovah, to deliver me; Jehovah, make haste to my help.

Lord, please save me! Hurry, Lord, help me!

14 Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be turned backward and confounded that take pleasure in mine adversity;

Please defeat and humiliate the people who are trying to kill me; turn back in disgrace those who want to hurt me.

15 Let them be desolate, because of their shame, that say unto me, Aha! Aha!

May they be shocked at their defeat, those who taunted me.

16 Let all those that seek thee be glad and rejoice in thee; let such as love thy salvation say continually, Jehovah be magnified!

But may everyone who comes to you be happy and glad; may those who love your salvation always say, “The Lord is great!”

17 But I am afflicted and needy: the Lord thinketh upon me. Thou art my help and my deliverer: my God, make no delay.

As for me, I am poor and needy. May the Lord think about me. Help me! Save me! My God, please don't wait!