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Psalm 40[a]

Gratitude and Prayer for Help

For the leader. A psalm of David.

A

Surely, I wait for the Lord;
    who bends down to me and hears my cry,(A)
Draws me up from the pit of destruction,
    out of the muddy clay,(B)
Sets my feet upon rock,
    steadies my steps,

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 40 A thanksgiving (Ps 40:2–13) has been combined with a lament (Ps 40:14–17) that appears also in Ps 70. The psalmist describes the rescue in spatial terms—being raised up from the swampy underworld to firm earth where one can praise God (Ps 40:2–4). All who trust God will experience like protection (Ps 40:5–6)! The Psalm stipulates the precise mode of thanksgiving: not animal sacrifice but open and enthusiastic proclamation of the salvation just experienced (Ps 40:7–11). A prayer for protection concludes (Ps 40:12–17).