Psalms 40

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

For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. I waited patiently for the LORD. He turned to me, and heard my cry.

2 [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).

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 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.

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

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

Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, and doesn’t respect the proud, nor such as turn away to lies.

5 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.

Many, LORD, 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 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].

Sacrifice and offering you didn’t desire. You have opened my ears. You have not required burnt offering and sin offering.

7 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].”

Then I said, “Behold, I have come. It is written about me in the book in the scroll.

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

I delight to do your will, my God. Yes, your law is within my heart.”

9 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.

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

10 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.

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

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

Don’t withhold your tender mercies from me, LORD. Let your loving kindness and your truth continually preserve me.

12 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.

For innumerable evils have surrounded me. My iniquities 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 Yahweh, please save me! Come quickly to help me!

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

14 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.

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

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

16 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!”

Let all those who seek you rejoice and be glad in you. Let such as love your salvation say continually, “Let the LORD be exalted!”

17 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!]

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