Psalms 40

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

For the music director. A psalm of David. I waited for the Lord patiently, and he turned to me—he heard my cry for help.

2 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.

He pulled me out of the pit of destruction, out from the mud and the slime. He set me on a rock, and gave me a safe place to stand.

3 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.

He gave me a new song to sing, a song of praise to our God. Many people will see and be in awe, and they will put their trust in him.

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

Happy are those who trust in the Lord, who do not look for help from the arrogant or from those who worship idols.

5 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.

Lord my God, you have done so many wonderful things for us, and you have so many plans for us. No one compares to you. I want to tell all that you've done—blessings too many to count.

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

You don't want sacrifices and offerings. Now you have helped me understand—you're not asking for burnt offerings or sin offerings.

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

Then I said, “Look! Here I am! I've come to do what is written about me in the scroll of the Book.

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

I am pleased to do your will, my God—your Law guides my mind.”

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

I have announced the good news of salvation to the whole congregation. I don't keep quiet, Lord, as you know.

10 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.

I have not kept the truth of your goodness hidden inside me—I have spoken of your trustworthiness and your salvation. I have not concealed your unfailing love and your faithfulness from the whole congregation.

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

Lord, please don't keep back your mercy from me. May your trustworthy love and faithfulness always be my protection.

12 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.

For I'm experiencing so many problems—I can't even count them! My sins have piled up so high I can't see over them. They're more than the number of hairs on my head! I feel like giving up!

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

Lord, please save me! Hurry, Lord, help me!

14 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.

Please defeat and humiliate the people who are trying to kill me; turn back in disgrace those who want to hurt me.

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

May they be shocked at their defeat, those who taunted me.

16 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!”

But may everyone who comes to you be happy and glad; may those who love your salvation always say, “The Lord is great!”

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

As for me, I am poor and needy. May the Lord think about me. Help me! Save me! My God, please don't wait!