Psalms 40

1 Unto the end, a psalm for David himself. With expectation I have waited for the Lord, and he was attentive to me.

“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 heard my prayers, and brought me out of the pit of misery and the mire of dregs. And he set my feet upon a rock, and directed 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 put a new canticle into my mouth, a song to our God. Many shall see, and shall fear: and they shall hope in the Lord.

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 Blessed is the man whose trust is in the name of the Lord; and who hath not had regard to vanities, and lying follies.

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

5 Thou hast multiplied thy wonderful works, O Lord my God: and in thy thoughts there is no one like to thee. I have declared and I have spoken they are multiplied above number.

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 oblation thou didst not desire; but thou hast pierced ears for me. Burnt offering and sin offering thou didst not require:

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, Behold I come. In the head 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 That I should do thy will: O my God, I have desired it, and thy law in the midst of my heart.

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

9 I have declared thy justice in a great church, lo, I will not restrain my lips: O Lord, thou knowest it.

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

10 I have not hid thy justice within my heart: I have declared thy truth and thy salvation. I have not concealed thy mercy and thy truth from a great council.

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 Withhold not thou, O Lord, thy tender mercies from me: thy mercy and thy truth have always upheld me.

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

12 For evils without number have surrounded me; my iniquities have overtaken me, and I was not able to see. They are multiplied above 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 Lord, to deliver me, look down, O Lord, to help me.

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

14 Let them be confounded and ashamed together, that seek after my soul to take it away. Let them be turned backward and be ashamed that desire evils to me.

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 Let them immediately bear their confusion, that say to me: Tis well, tis well.

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

16 Let all that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say always: The Lord be 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 But I am a beggar and poor: the Lord is careful for me. Thou art my helper and my protector: O my God, be not slack.

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