Psalm 40
Thanksgiving and a Cry for Help
For the choir director. A Davidic psalm.
1 I waited patiently for the Lord,
and He turned to me and heard my cry for help.
2 He brought me up from a desolate[a] pit,
out of the muddy clay,
and set my feet on a rock,
making my steps secure.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the Lord.
who has put his trust in the Lord
and has not turned to the proud
or to those who run after lies!
5 Lord my God, You have done many things—
Your wonderful 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.
You open my ears to listen.[b]
You do not ask for a whole burnt offering or a sin offering.
7 Then I said, “See, I have come;
it is written about me in the volume of the scroll.
8 I delight to do Your will, my God;
Your instruction lives within me.”[c]
see, I do not keep my mouth closed[d]—
as You know, Lord.
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.
Your constant love and truth will always guard me.
12 For troubles without number have surrounded me;
my sins have overtaken me; I am unable to see.
They are more than the hairs of my head,
and my courage leaves me.
13 Lord, be pleased to deliver me;
hurry to help me, Lord.
be disgraced and confounded.
Let those who wish me harm
be driven back and humiliated.
15 Let those who say to me, “Aha, aha!”
be horrified because of their shame.
let those who love Your salvation continually say,
“The Lord is great!”
17 I am afflicted and needy;
the Lord thinks of me.
You are my helper and my deliverer;
my God, do not delay.
Footnotes
- Psalm 40:2 Or watery
- Psalm 40:6 Lit You hollow out ears for me
- Psalm 40:8 Lit instruction within my inner being
- Psalm 40:9 Lit not restrain my lips