Psalms 40

1 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.

For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; He inclined to me and heard my cry.

2 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.

He lifted me up from the pit of despair, out of the miry clay; He set my feet upon a rock, and made my footsteps firm.

3 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.

He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.

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

Blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust, who has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood.

5 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.

Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders You have done, and the plans You have for us— none can compare to You— if I proclaim and declare them, they are more than I can count.

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

Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but my ears You have opened. Burnt offerings and sin offerings You did not require.

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

Then I said, “Here I am, I have come— it is written about me in the scroll:

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

I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart.”

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

I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; behold, I do not seal my lips, as You, O LORD, do know.

10 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.

I have not covered up Your righteousness in my heart; I have declared Your faithfulness and salvation; I have not concealed Your loving devotion and faithfulness from the great assembly.

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

O LORD, do not withhold Your mercy from me; Your loving devotion and faithfulness will always guard me.

12 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!

For evils without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, so that I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart has failed within me.

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

Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me; hurry, O LORD, to help me.

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

May those who seek my life be ashamed and confounded; may those who wish me harm be repelled and humiliated.

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

May those who say to me, “Aha, aha!” be appalled at their own shame.

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

May all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; may those who love Your salvation always say, “The LORD be magnified!”

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

But I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my helper and deliverer; O my God, do not delay.