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 leader. A psalm of David. For the Lord I waited and waited, till, inclining to me, he 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.

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 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, of praise to our God. Many see it, and, filled with awe, 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.

Happy the person who has put in the Lord their trust, not looking to false gods or turning to idols.

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.

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

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

Then said I, “Here I am, as the roll of the book has enjoined.

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

My delight, O God, is to do your will, and 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.

Well, O Lord, you know that, with lips unrestrained, your righteousness I told in the great congregation,

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.

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

So do not restrain, Lord, your pity from us. Your love and your faithfulness – ever may they be our shield.

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

O Lord, be pleased to deliver me, haste to my help, O Lord.

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 are seeking my life be ashamed and confounded together; may those who delight in my hurt be defeated and brought to dishonor.

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

May those who hurrah over me be dumbfounded 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!”

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

I am weak and needy, yet the Lord cares for me. You are my help and deliverer; don’t delay, my God.