Psalms 40

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

I waited patiently for Adonai. He turned to me, and sh'ma ·heard obeyed· my cry.

2 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.

He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay. He set my feet on a rock, and gave me a firm place to stand.

3 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.

He has put a new song in my mouth, even tehilah ·praise song· to our God. Many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in Adonai.

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

Blessed is the man who makes Adonai his trust, and does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

5 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.

Many, Adonai, my God, are the wonderful works which you have done, and your thoughts which are toward us. They can’t be declared back to you. If I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be counted.

6 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.

Sacrifices and offerings you don’t want; burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin ·missing the goal· you have not required. Instead, you have opened my ears.

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

So then I said, “Behold, I have come! In the scroll of a book it is written about me.

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

I delight to do your will, my God. Yes, your Torah ·Teaching· is within my heart.”

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

I have proclaimed glad news of righteousness in the great assembly. Behold, I will not seal my lips, Adonai, you know.

10 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.

I have not hidden your righteousness within my heart. I have declared your faithfulness and your salvation. I have not concealed your chesed ·loving-kindness· and your truth from the great assembly.

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

Don’t withhold your tender rachamim ·merciful loves· from me, Adonai. Let your chesed ·loving-kindness· and your truth continually preserve me.

12 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.

For innumerable evils have surrounded me. My depravities (moral evils) have overtaken me, so that I am not able to look up. They are more than the hairs of my head. My heart has failed me.

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

Be pleased, Adonai, to deliver me. Hurry to help me, Adonai.

14 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.

Let them be disappointed and confounded together who seek after my soul to destroy it. Let them be turned backward and brought to dishonor who delight in my hurt.

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

Let them be desolate by reason of their shame that tell me, “Aha! Aha!”

16 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.

Let all those who seek you rejoice and be glad in you. Let all who 'ahav ·affectionately love· your salvation say continually, “Let Adonai be exalted and magnified!”

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

But I am poor and needy. May 'Adonay [Lord] think about me. You are my help and my deliverer. Don’t delay, my God.