Psalm 40

Thanksgiving and a Cry for Help

For the choir director. A psalm of David.

I waited patiently for the Lord,
and he turned to me and heard my cry for help.(A)
He brought me up from a desolate[a] pit,
out of the muddy clay,(B)
and set my feet on a rock,
making my steps secure.(C)
He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.(D)
Many will see and fear,
and they will trust in the Lord.(E)

How happy is anyone
who has put his trust in the Lord
and has not turned to the proud
or to those who run after lies!(F)
Lord my God, you have done many things—
your wondrous works and your plans for us;
none can compare with you.
If I were to report and speak of them,
they are more than can be told.(G)

You do not delight in sacrifice and offering;
you open my ears to listen.[b]
You do not ask for a whole burnt offering or a sin offering.(H)
Then I said, “See, I have come;
in the scroll it is written about me.(I)
I delight to do your will, my God,(J)
and your instruction is deep within me.”(K)

I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly;
see, I do not keep my mouth closed[c]
as you know, Lord.(L)
10 I did not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I spoke about your faithfulness and salvation;
I did not conceal your constant love and truth
from the great assembly.(M)

11 Lord, you do not[d] withhold your compassion from me.
Your constant love and truth will always guard me.(N)
12 For troubles without number have surrounded me;
my iniquities have overtaken me; I am unable to see.
They are more than the hairs of my head,
and my courage leaves me.(O)
13 Lord, be pleased to rescue me;
hurry to help me, Lord.(P)

14 Let those who intend to take my life
be disgraced and confounded.
Let those who wish me harm
be turned back and humiliated.(Q)
15 Let those who say to me, “Aha, aha!”
be appalled because of their shame.(R)

16 Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you;
let those who love your salvation continually say,
“The Lord is great!” (S)
17 I am oppressed and needy;
may the Lord think of me.
You are my helper and my deliverer;
my God, do not delay.(T)

Footnotes

  1. 40:2 Or watery
  2. 40:6 Lit you hollow out ears for me
  3. 40:9 Lit not restrain my lips
  4. 40:11 Or Lord, do not

Psalm 40

Thanksgiving for Deliverance and Prayer for Help

To the leader. Of David. A Psalm.

I waited patiently for the Lord;
    he inclined to me and heard my cry.(A)
He drew me up from the desolate pit,[a]
    out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
    making my steps secure.(B)
He put a new song in my mouth,
    a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
    and put their trust in the Lord.(C)

Happy are those who make
    the Lord their trust,
who do not turn to the proud,
    to those who go astray after false gods.(D)
You have multiplied, O Lord my God,
    your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;
    none can compare with you.
Were I to proclaim and tell of them,
    they would be more than can be counted.(E)

Sacrifice and offering you do not desire,
    but you have given me an open ear.[b]
Burnt offering and sin offering
    you have not required.(F)
Then I said, “Here I am;
    in the scroll of the book it is written of me.[c]
I delight to do your will, O my God;
    your law is within my heart.”(G)

I have told the glad news of deliverance
    in the great congregation;
see, I have not restrained my lips,
    as you know, O Lord.(H)
10 I have not hidden your saving help within my heart;
    I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;
I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness
    from the great congregation.(I)

11 Do not, O Lord, withhold
    your mercy from me;
let your steadfast love and your faithfulness
    keep me safe forever.(J)
12 For evils have encompassed me
    without number;
my iniquities have overtaken me
    until I cannot see;
they are more than the hairs of my head,
    and my heart fails me.(K)

13 Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me;
    O Lord, make haste to help me.(L)
14 Let all those be put to shame and confusion
    who seek to snatch away my life;
let those be turned back and brought to dishonor
    who desire my hurt.(M)
15 Let those be appalled because of their shame
    who say to me, “Aha, Aha!”(N)

16 But may all who seek you
    rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation
    say continually, “Great is the Lord!”(O)
17 As for me, I am poor and needy,
    but the Lord takes thought for me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
    do not delay, O my God.(P)

Footnotes

  1. 40.2 Cn: Heb pit of tumult
  2. 40.6 Heb ears you have dug for me
  3. 40.7 Meaning of Heb uncertain