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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

My delight is to do your pleasure, O my God; truly, your law is in 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 have given news of righteousness in the great meeting; O Lord, you have knowledge that I have not kept back my words.

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.

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.

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

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

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 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.

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

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

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

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.

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

Let those who say to me, Aha, aha! be surprised because of their 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!”

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.

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!

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.