Psalm 40:1–11

¹I waited patiently for the Lord to help me,

and he turned to me and heard my cry.

²He lifted me out of the pit of despair,

out of the mud and the mire.

He set my feet on solid ground

and steadied me as I walked along.

³He has given me a new song to sing,

a hymn of praise to our God.

Many will see what he has done and be amazed.

They will put their trust in the Lord.

⁴Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord,

who have no confidence in the proud

or in those who worship idols.

⁵O Lord my God, you have performed many wonders for us.

Your plans for us are too numerous to list.

You have no equal.

If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds,

I would never come to the end of them.

⁶You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings.

Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand—

you don’t require burnt offerings or sin offerings.

⁷Then I said, “Look, I have come.

As is written about me in the Scriptures:

⁸I take joy in doing your will, my God,

for your instructions are written on my heart.”

⁹I have told all your people about your justice.

I have not been afraid to speak out,

as you, O Lord, well know.

¹⁰I have not kept the good news of your justice hidden in my heart;

I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power.

I have told everyone in the great assembly

of your unfailing love and faithfulness.

¹¹Lord, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me.

Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me.