Psalms 40
1 For the end, a Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the Lord; and he attended to me, and listened to my supplication.
For the leader. A psalm of David. For the Lord I waited and waited, till, inclining to me, he heard my cry.
2 And he brought me up out of a pit of misery, and from miry clay: and he set my feet on a rock, and ordered my goings aright.
From the horrible pit he drew me, up out of the miry clay; he set my feet on a rock, and my steps he made firm.
3 And he put a new song into my mouth, [even] a hymn to our God: many shall see [it], and fear, and shall hope in the Lord.
He put a new song in my mouth, of praise to our God. Many see it, and, filled with awe, put their trust in the Lord.
4 Blessed [is] the man whose hope is in the name of the Lord, and [who] has not regarded vanities and false frenzies.
Happy the person who has put in the Lord their trust, not looking to false gods or turning to idols.
5 O Lord my God, you have multiplied your wonderful works, and in your thoughts there is none who shall be likened to you: I declared and spoke [of them]: they exceeded number.
With us you have wrought in rich measure, O Lord our God, your marvels and purposes for us – none may compare with you – were I to declare or to tell them, past counting are they.
6 Sacrifice and offering you would not; but a body have you prepared me: whole burnt offering and [sacrifice] for sin you did not require.
In offerings bloody or bloodless you have no delight, but with open ears you have made me. Burnt-offering and offering for sin are not what you ask.
7 Then I said, Behold, I come: in the volume of the book it is written concerning me,
Then said I, ‘Here I am, as the roll of the book has enjoined.
8 I desired to do your will, O my God, and your law in the midst of mine heart.
My delight, O God, is to do your will, and your law is within my heart.’
9 I have preached righteousness in the great congregation; behold! I will not refrain my lips; O Lord, you know my righteousness.
Well, O Lord, you know that, with lips unrestrained, your righteousness I told in the great congregation,
10 I have not hid your truth within my heart, and I have declared your salvation; I have not hid your mercy and your truth from the great congregation.
not hiding it in my heart. I have told of your steadfast help, from the great congregation I hid not your love and your faithfulness.
11 But you, Lord, remove not your compassion far from me; your mercy and your truth have helped me continually.
So do not restrain, Lord, your pity from us. Your love and your faithfulness – ever may they be our shield.
12 For innumerable evils have encompassed me; my transgressions have taken hold of me, and I could not see; they are multiplied more than the hairs of my head; and my heart has failed me.
For evils that cannot be numbered have compassed me round. My transgressions have followed me up – I can bear it no more. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart has forsaken me.
13 Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me; O Lord, draw near to help me.
O Lord, be pleased to deliver me, haste to my help, O Lord.
14 Let those that seek my soul, to destroy it, be ashamed and confounded together; let those that wish me evil be turned backward and put to shame.
May those who are seeking my life be ashamed and confounded together; may those who delight in my hurt be defeated and brought to dishonour.
15 Let those that say to me, Aha, aha, quickly receive shame for their reward.
May those who hurrah over me be dumbfounded because of their shame.
16 Let all those that seek you, O Lord, exult and rejoice in you; and let them that love your salvation say continually, The Lord be magnified.
But may all who seek after you rejoice and be glad in you. May all those eager for your aid, say, ‘Great is the Lord’ evermore.
17 But I am poor and needy; the Lord will take care of me; you are my helper, and my defender, O my God, delay not.
I am weak and needy, yet the Lord cares for me. You are my help and deliverer; don’t delay, my God.
