Psalms 40

1 TO THE OVERSEER. A PSALM OF DAVID. I have diligently expected YHWH, And He inclines to me, and hears my cry,

I waited patiently for Yahweh [to help me], and he listened to me [DOU] when I called out to him.

2 And He causes me to come up From a pit of desolation—from mire of mud, And He raises up my feet on a rock, He is establishing my steps.

[When I had many troubles, it was as though] I was in a deep pit. But he lifted me up out of the mud and slime of that pit; he set my feet on a [solid] rock, and enabled me to walk (safely/without falling).

3 And He puts a new song in my mouth, “Praise to our God.” Many see and fear, and trust in YHWH.

He has given me a new song to sing, a song to praise him who is our God. Many people will find out [what he has done for me], and they will revere and trust him.

4 O the blessedness of the man Who has made YHWH his trust, And has not turned to the proud, And those turning aside to lies.

Yahweh is pleased with those who trust him, those who do not trust in idols or join with those who worship those false gods.

5 You have done much, my God YHWH; Your wonders and Your thoughts toward us, There is none to arrange to You, I declare and speak: They have been more than to be numbered.

O Yahweh, my God, you have done many wonderful things! No one can list all the wonderful things that you have planned for us. If I tried to tell [others] about all those wonderful things, I would not be able to, because there would be too many for me to mention.

6 Sacrifice and present You have not desired, But a body You have prepared for me, Burnt and sin-offering You have not asked.

Various kinds of sacrifices and other offerings are not the [only] things that delight you. You have enabled me to understand that very well [IDM]. [Animals] burned [on the altar] and [other] offerings are not all that you require [for sins to be forgiven].

7 Then I said, “Behold, I have come, In the roll of the scroll it is written of me,

So I said [to you], “Yahweh, here I am, [to do] the things that have been written in the scroll [that contains your laws], things that you want me [to do].”

8 I have delighted to do Your pleasure, my God, And Your law [is] within my heart.”

O my God, I delight to do what you desire; I [keep] your laws within my inner being.

9 I have proclaimed tidings of righteousness In the great assembly, Behold, I do not restrain my lips, O YHWH, You have known.

Whenever all [your people] are gathered, I have told them about how you save us. Yahweh, you know that I have not been afraid to tell that to them.

10 I have not concealed Your righteousness In the midst of my heart, I have told of Your faithfulness and Your salvation, I have not hidden Your kindness and Your truth, To the great assembly.

And I have not kept to myself the news that you always act justly/fairly; when many of your people have gathered together [to worship you in the temple], I have told them that you are faithful to us and save us. I have (not concealed/openly told people) that you faithfully love us and act loyally toward us.

11 You, O YHWH, do not restrain Your mercies from me, Your kindness and Your truth continually keep me.

Yahweh, do not stop being merciful to me. Because you faithfully love [me] [PRS] and are loyal [to me], always protect me.

12 For innumerable evils have surrounded me, My iniquities have overtaken me, And I have not been able to see; They have been more than the hairs of my head, And my heart has forsaken me.

I have many troubles; [so many that] I cannot count them. My sins are like a flood that has covered me [PRS, MET]; [they are so many that] I cannot find my way. The sins that I have committed are more than the hairs on my head. I am very discouraged.

13 Be pleased, O YHWH, to deliver me, O YHWH, make haste for my help.

O Yahweh, please save me! Come quickly to help me!

14 They are ashamed and confounded together, Who are seeking my soul to destroy it, They are turned backward, And are ashamed, who are desiring my evil.

Humble those who are happy about my troubles, and cause them to be disgraced and ashamed. Chase away those who are trying to get rid of me.

15 They are desolate because of their shame, Who are saying to me, “Aha, aha.”

I hope/desire that those who make fun of me will be dismayed when you defeat them.

16 All seeking You rejoice and are glad in You, Those loving Your salvation continually say, “YHWH is magnified.”

But I hope that all those who go to [worship] you will be very joyful [DOU]. I want those who love you because you saved them to shout repeatedly, “Yahweh is great!”

17 And I [am] poor and needy, The Lord devises for me. You [are] my help and my deliverer, O my God, do not linger.

As for me, I am poor and needy [DOU]; but [I know that] Yahweh has not forgotten me. O my God, you are the one who saves and helps me, so please come quickly [and help me!]