Psalms 40

1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined to 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 He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, [and] established 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 a new song in my mouth, [even] praise to our God: many shall see [it], and fear, 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] that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

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

5 Many, O LORD, my God, [are] thy wonderful works [which] thou hast done, and thy thoughts [which are] toward us, they cannot be reckoned up in order to thee: [if] I would declare and speak [of them], they are more than can be numbered.

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 didst not desire; my ears hast thou opened: burnt-offering and sin-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: in the volume of the book [it is] written of me,

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

8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law [is] within my heart.

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

9 I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.

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

10 I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy loving-kindness and thy truth 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 Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy loving-kindness and thy truth continually preserve me.

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

12 For innumerable evils have encompassed me: my iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of my head: therefore my heart faileth 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 Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me.

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

14 Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.

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 Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say to me, Aha, aha.

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

16 Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.

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 But I [am] poor and needy; [yet] the LORD thinketh upon me: thou [art] my help and my deliverer; make no delay, O my God.

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