Psalm 40

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.

1I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.footnote a

2He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.footnote b

3And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.

4Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

5Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.footnote c

6Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.footnote d

7Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,

8I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.footnote e

9I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.

10I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.

11Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.

12For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me.footnote f

13Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me.

14Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.

15Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha.

16Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.

17But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.

I Waited Patiently for the LORD

For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

1I waited patiently for the LORD;He inclined to me and heard my cry. 2He lifted me up from the pit of despair,out of the miry clay;He set my feet upon a rock,and made my footsteps firm. 3He put a new song in my mouth,a hymn of praise to our God.Many will see and fearand put their trust in the LORD.

4Blessed is the manwho has made the LORD his trust,who has not turned to the proud,nor to those who lapse into falsehood.footnote a 5Many, O LORD my God,are the wonders You have done,and the plans You have for us—none can compare to You—if I proclaim and declare them,they are more than I can count.

6Sacrifice and offering You did not desire,but my ears You have opened.footnote bBurnt offerings and sin offeringsYou did not require. 7Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—it is written about me in the scroll: 8I delight to do Your will, O my God;footnote cYour law is within my heart.”

9I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly;behold, I do not seal my lips,as You, O LORD, do know. 10I have not covered up Your righteousness in my heart;I have declared Your faithfulness and salvation;I have not concealed Your loving devotion and faithfulnessfrom the great assembly.

11O LORD, do not withhold Your mercy from me;Your loving devotion and faithfulness will always guard me. 12For evils without number surround me;my sins have overtaken me, so that I cannot see.They are more than the hairs of my head,and my heart has failed within me. 13Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me;hurry, O LORD, to help me.

14May those who seek my lifebe ashamed and confounded;may those who wish me harmbe repelled and humiliated. 15May those who say to me, “Aha, aha!”be appalled at their own shame. 16May all who seek Yourejoice and be glad in You;may those who love Your salvationalways say, “The LORD be magnified!”

17But I am poor and needy;may the Lord think of me.You are my helper and deliverer;O my God, do not delay.