Psalms 40

1 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.

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

2 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.

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 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.

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

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

5 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10 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.

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

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

12 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!

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

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

14 Please defeat and humiliate the people who are trying to kill me; turn back in disgrace those who want to hurt 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 May they be shocked at their defeat, those who taunted me.

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

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

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

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

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