Psalm 40

Psalm 40

Thanksgiving for Deliverance and Prayer for Help

To the leader. Of David. A Psalm.

1 I waited patiently for the Lord;

he inclined to me and heard my cry.*

2 He drew me up from the desolate pit,x

out of the miry bog,

and set my feet upon a rock,

making my steps secure.*

3 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.*

4 Happy are those who make

the Lord their trust,

who do not turn to the proud,

to those who go astray after false gods.*

5 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.*

6 Sacrifice and offering you do not desire,

but you have given me an open ear.y

Burnt offering and sin offering

you have not required.*

7 Then I said, “Here I am;

in the scroll of the book it is written of me.z

8 I delight to do your will, O my God;

your law is within my heart.”*

9 I have told the glad news of deliverance

in the great congregation;

see, I have not restrained my lips,

as you know, O Lord.*

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.*

11 Do not, O Lord, withhold

your mercy from me;

let your steadfast love and your faithfulness

keep me safe forever.*

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.*

13 Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me;

O Lord, make haste to help me.*

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.*

15 Let those be appalled because of their shame

who say to me, “Aha, Aha!”*

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!”*

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.*