Psalms 40

1 To him that excelleth. A Psalme of David. I Waited paciently for the Lord, and he inclined vnto me, and heard my cry.

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

2 Hee brought mee also out of the horrible pit, out of the myrie clay, and set my feete vpon the rocke, and ordered my goings.

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 And he hath put in my mouth a new song of praise vnto our God: many shall see it and feare, and shall trust in the Lord.

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 Blessed is the man that maketh the Lord his trust, and regardeth not the proude, nor such as turne aside to lyes.

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

5 O Lord my God, thou hast made thy wonderfull workes so many, that none can count in order to thee thy thoughts toward vs: I would declare, and speake of them, but they are moe then I am able to expresse.

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 Sacrifice and offering thou didest not desire: (for mine eares hast thou prepared) burnt offring and sinne offering hast thou not required.

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 said I, Lo, I come: for in the rolle of the booke it is written of me,

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

8 I desired to doe thy good will, O my God: yea, thy Lawe is within mine heart.

My delight, O God, is to do your will, and your law is within my heart.’

9 I haue declared thy righteousnesse in the great Congregation: loe, I will not refraine my lippes: O Lord, thou knowest.

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

10 I haue not hidde thy righteousnesse within mine heart, but I haue declared thy trueth and thy saluation: I haue not conceiled thy mercy and thy trueth from the great 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 Withdrawe not thou thy tender mercie from mee, O Lord: let thy mercie and thy trueth alway preserue me.

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

12 For innumerable troubles haue compassed mee: my sinnes haue taken such holde vpon me, that I am not able to looke vp: yea, they are moe in nomber then the heares of mine head: therefore mine heart hath failed me.

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 Let it please thee, O Lord, to deliuer mee: make haste, O Lord, to helpe me.

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

14 Let them be confounded and put to shame together, that seeke my soule to destroye it: let them be driuen backward and put to rebuke, that desire mine hurt.

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

15 Let them be destroyed for a rewarde of their shame, which say vnto me, Aha, aha.

May those who hurrah over me be dumbfounded because of their shame.

16 Let all them, that seeke thee, reioyce and be glad in thee: and let them, that loue thy saluation, say alway, The Lord be praysed.

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 Though I be poore and needie, the Lord thinketh on mee: thou art mine helper and my deliuerer: my God, make no tarying.

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