Psalms 40

1 To the Overseer. — A Psalm of David. I have diligently expected Jehovah, And He inclineth to me, and heareth my cry,

“For the leader of the music. A psalm of David.” I trusted steadfastly in the LORD, And he listened, and heard my cry.

2 And He doth cause me to come up From a pit of desolation — from mire of mud, And He raiseth up on a rock my feet, He is establishing my steps.

He drew me out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay; He set my feet upon a rock, And made my steps firm.

3 And He putteth in my mouth a new song, 'Praise to our God.' Many do see and fear, and trust in Jehovah.

He hath put into my mouth a new song, A song of praise to our God. Many shall see, and fear, And put their trust in the LORD.

4 O the happiness of the man Who hath made Jehovah his trust, And hath not turned unto the proud, And those turning aside to lies.

Happy the man who maketh the LORD his trust, And resorteth not to men of pride and falsehood!

5 Much hast Thou done, Jehovah my God; Thy wonders and Thy thoughts toward us, There is none to arrange unto Thee, I declare and speak: They have been more than to be numbered.

Many, O LORD, my God! are the wonderful works which thou hast done; Many have been thy gracious purposes towards us; None can be compared to thee! Would I declare and rehearse them, they are more than can be numbered.

6 Sacrifice and present Thou hast not desired, Ears Thou hast prepared for me, Burnt and sin-offering Thou hast not asked.

In sacrifice and oblation thou hast no pleasure; Mine ears thou hast opened; Burnt-offering and sin-offering thou requirest not.

7 Then said I, 'Lo, I have come,' In the roll of the book it is written of me,

Therefore I said, “Lo, I come; In the scroll of the book it is prescribed to me;

8 To do Thy pleasure, my God, I have delighted, And Thy law [is] within my heart.

O my God! to do thy will is my delight, And thy law dwelleth in my heart!”

9 I have proclaimed tidings of righteousness In the great assembly, lo, my lips I restrain not, O Jehovah, Thou hast known.

I have proclaimed thy righteousness in the great assembly; Lo, I have not restrained my lips, O LORD! thou knowest!

10 Thy righteousness I have not concealed In the midst of my heart, Thy faithfulness and Thy salvation I have told, I have not hidden Thy kindness and Thy truth, To the great assembly.

I hide not thy justice in my heart; I declare thy faithfulness and thy salvation; I conceal not thy mercy and truth from the great assembly.

11 Thou, O Jehovah, restrainest not Thy mercies from me, Thy kindness and Thy truth do continually keep me.

Withdraw not from me thy tender mercies, O LORD! May thy loving-kindness and thy truth continually preserve me!

12 For compassed me have evils innumerable, Overtaken me have mine iniquities, And I have not been able to see; They have been more than the hairs of my head, And my heart hath forsaken me.

For evils without number have encompassed me; My iniquities have overtaken me; I cannot see the end of them; They are more than the hairs of my head, And my heart dieth within me.

13 Be pleased, O Jehovah, to deliver me, O Jehovah, for my help make haste.

May it please thee, O LORD! to deliver me! O LORD! make haste to mine aid!

14 They are ashamed and confounded together, Who are seeking my soul to destroy it, They are turned backward, And are ashamed, who are desiring my evil.

May they all be confounded and covered with shame Who seek to take away my life! Let them be driven back with disgrace Who desire to do me injury!

15 They are desolate because of their shame, Who are saying to me, 'Aha, aha.'

Let them be overwhelmed with confusion Who cry out to me, Aha! aha!

16 All seeking Thee rejoice and are glad in Thee, Those loving Thy salvation say continually, 'Jehovah is magnified.'

But let all who seek thee Be glad and rejoice in thee! Let those who love thy protection Ever say, “Great is Jehovah!”

17 And I [am] poor and needy, The Lord doth devise for me. My help and my deliverer [art] Thou, O my God, tarry Thou not.

I am poor and afflicted, yet the Lord thinketh upon me; Thou art my help and my deliverer; My God! make no delay!