Psalms 40

1 Unto the end, a psalm for David himself. With expectation I have waited for the Lord, and he was attentive to me.

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 heard my prayers, and brought me out of the pit of misery and the mire of dregs. And he set my feet upon a rock, and directed my steps.

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 put a new canticle into my mouth, a song to our God. Many shall see, and shall fear: and they shall hope in the Lord.

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 whose trust is in the name of the Lord; and who hath not had regard to vanities, and lying follies.

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 hast multiplied thy wonderful works, O Lord my God: and in thy thoughts there is no one like to thee. I have declared and I have spoken they are multiplied above number.

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; but thou hast pierced ears for me. Burnt offering and sin offering thou didst not require:

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 head 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 That I should do thy will: O my God, I have desired it, and thy law in the midst of my heart.

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

9 I have declared thy justice in a great church, lo, I will not restrain my lips: O Lord, thou knowest it.

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 hid thy justice within my heart: I have declared thy truth and thy salvation. I have not concealed thy mercy and thy truth from a great council.

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, O Lord, thy tender mercies from me: thy mercy and thy truth have always upheld me.

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

12 For evils without number have surrounded me; my iniquities have overtaken me, and I was not able to see. They are multiplied above the hairs of my head: and my heart hath forsaken 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 Lord, to deliver me, look down, O Lord, to help me.

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

14 Let them be confounded and ashamed together, that seek after my soul to take it away. Let them be turned backward and be ashamed that desire evils to me.

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 immediately bear their confusion, that say to me: Tis well, tis well.

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

16 Let all that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say always: The Lord 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 a beggar and poor: the Lord is careful for me. Thou art my helper and my protector: O my God, be not slack.

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