Psalm 34

New International Version

Psalm 34^[a]^[b]

Of David. When he pretended to be insane^(A) before Abimelek, who drove him away, and he left.

¹I will extol the Lord at all times;^(B)
    his praise will always be on my lips.
²I will glory^(C) in the Lord;
    let the afflicted hear and rejoice.^(D)
³Glorify the Lord^(E) with me;
    let us exalt^(F) his name together.

⁴I sought the Lord,^(G) and he answered me;
    he delivered^(H) me from all my fears.
⁵Those who look to him are radiant;^(I)
    their faces are never covered with shame.^(J)
⁶This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
    he saved him out of all his troubles.^(K)
⁷The angel of the Lord^(L) encamps around those who fear him,
    and he delivers^(M) them.

⁸Taste and see that the Lord is good;^(N)
    blessed is the one who takes refuge^(O) in him.
⁹Fear the Lord,^(P) you his holy people,
    for those who fear him lack nothing.^(Q)
¹⁰The lions may grow weak and hungry,
    but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.^(R)
¹¹Come, my children, listen^(S) to me;
    I will teach you^(T) the fear of the Lord.^(U)
¹²Whoever of you loves life^(V)
    and desires to see many good days,
¹³keep your tongue^(W) from evil
    and your lips from telling lies.^(X)
¹⁴Turn from evil and do good;^(Y)
    seek peace^(Z) and pursue it.

¹⁵The eyes of the Lord^(AA) are on the righteous,^(AB)
and his ears are attentive^(AC) to their cry;
¹⁶but the face of the Lord is against^(AD) those who do evil,^(AE)
to blot out their name^(AF) from the earth.

¹⁷The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears^(AG) them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.
¹⁸The Lord is close^(AH) to the brokenhearted^(AI)
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

¹⁹The righteous person may have many troubles,^(AJ)
but the Lord delivers him from them all;^(AK)
²⁰he protects all his bones,
not one of them will be broken.^(AL)

²¹Evil will slay the wicked;^(AM)
the foes of the righteous will be condemned.
²²The Lord will rescue^(AN) his servants;
no one who takes refuge^(AO) in him will be condemned.

Footnotes

Psalm 34:1 This psalm is an acrostic poem, the verses of which begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
Psalm 34:1 In Hebrew texts 34:1-22 is numbered 34:2-23.

Psalm 40

New International Version

Psalm 40^[a]^(A)

For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

¹I waited patiently^(B) for the Lord;
    he turned to me and heard my cry.^(C)
²He lifted me out of the slimy pit,^(D)
    out of the mud^(E) and mire;^(F)
he set my feet^(G) on a rock^(H)
    and gave me a firm place to stand.
³He put a new song^(I) in my mouth,
    a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord^(J)
    and put their trust^(K) in him.

⁴Blessed is the one^(L)
    who trusts in the Lord,^(M)
who does not look to the proud,^(N)
    to those who turn aside to false gods.^[b]^(O)
⁵Many, Lord my God,
    are the wonders^(P) you have done,
    the things you planned for us.
None can compare^(Q) with you;
    were I to speak and tell of your deeds,
    they would be too many^(R) to declare.

⁶Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—^(S)
    but my ears you have opened^[c]—^(T)
    burnt offerings^(U) and sin offerings^[d] you did not require.
⁷Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—
    it is written about me in the scroll.^[e]^(V)
⁸I desire to do your will,^(W) my God;^(X)
    your law is within my heart.”^(Y)

⁹I proclaim your saving acts^(Z) in the great assembly;^(AA)
    I do not seal my lips, Lord,
    as you know.^(AB)
¹⁰I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
    I speak of your faithfulness^(AC) and your saving help.
I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness
    from the great assembly.^(AD)

¹¹Do not withhold your mercy^(AE) from me, Lord;
    may your love^(AF) and faithfulness^(AG) always protect^(AH) me.
¹²For troubles^(AI) without number surround me;
    my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.^(AJ)
They are more than the hairs of my head,^(AK)
    and my heart fails^(AL) within me.
¹³Be pleased to save me, Lord;
    come quickly, Lord, to help me.^(AM)

¹⁴May all who want to take my life^(AN)
    be put to shame and confusion;^(AO)
may all who desire my ruin^(AP)
    be turned back in disgrace.
¹⁵May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!”^(AQ)
    be appalled at their own shame.
¹⁶But may all who seek you^(AR)
    rejoice and be glad^(AS) in you;
may those who long for your saving help always say,
    “The Lord is great!”^(AT)

¹⁷But as for me, I am poor and needy;^(AU)
may the Lord think^(AV) of me.
You are my help^(AW) and my deliverer;^(AX)
you are my God, do not delay.^(AY)

Footnotes

Psalm 40:1 In Hebrew texts 40:1-17 is numbered 40:2-18.
Psalm 40:4 Or to lies
Psalm 40:6 Hebrew; some Septuagint manuscripts but a body you have prepared for me
Psalm 40:6 Or purification offerings
Psalm 40:7 Or come / with the scroll written for me