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.

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

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.

[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 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 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 Blessed [is] that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn 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 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.

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 offering thou didst not desire; my ears hast thou opened: burnt-offering and sin-offering hast thou not required.

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 said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book [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 delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy 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 preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.

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 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.

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 Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy loving-kindness and thy truth continually preserve 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 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.

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 LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me.

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

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.

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

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

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 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 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.

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!]