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. y

2 He brought me up from a desolate z pit,

out of the muddy clay, a

and set my feet on a rock,

making my steps secure. b

3 He put a new song in my mouth,

a hymn of praise to our God. c

Many will see and fear

and put their trust in the Lord. d

4 How happy is the man

who has put his trust in the Lord

and has not turned to the proud

or to those who run after lies! e

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. f

6 You do not delight in sacrifice and offering;

You open my ears to listen. g

You do not ask for a whole * burnt offering or a * sin offering. h

7 Then I said, “See, I have come;

it is written about me in the volume of the scroll. i

8 I delight to do Your will, my God; j

Your instruction lives within me.” k l

9 I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly;

see, I do not keep my mouth closed m—

as You know, Lord. n

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. o

11 Lord, do not withhold Your compassion from me;

Your constant love and truth will always guard me. p

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. q

13 Lord, be pleased to deliver me;

hurry to help me, Lord. r

14 Let those who seek to take my life

be disgraced and confounded.

Let those who wish me harm

be driven back and humiliated. s

15 Let those who say to me, “Aha, aha!”

be horrified because of their shame. t

16 Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You;

let those who love Your salvation continually say,

“The Lord is great!” u

17 I am afflicted and needy;

the Lord thinks of me.

You are my helper and my deliverer;

my God, do not delay. v