1I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.2He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.3He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.4Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.[1]5Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.6Sacrifice and offering you did not desire – but my ears you have opened[2] – burnt offerings and sin offerings[3] you did not require.7Then I said, ‘Here I am, I have come – it is written about me in the scroll.[4]8I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.’9I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, Lord, as you know.10I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help. I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness from the great assembly.11Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord; may your love and faithfulness always protect me.12For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me.13Be pleased to save me, Lord; come quickly, Lord, to help me.14May all who want to take my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace.15May those who say to me, ‘Aha! Aha!’ be appalled at their own shame.16But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, ‘The Lord is great!’17But as for me, I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; you are my God, do not delay.
Psalm 40
English Standard Version
My Help and My Deliverer
1To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. (Ps 27:14; Ps 37:7; Ps 39:12)2He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. (Ps 27:5; Ps 37:23; Ps 69:2; Ps 69:14; Jer 38:6)3He 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. (De 13:11; Ps 33:3; Ps 52:6; Ps 64:8)4Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie! (Le 19:4; De 29:18; Job 23:11; Ps 2:12; Ps 101:3; Ps 125:5; Ho 3:1)5You have multiplied, O Lord my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told. (Ex 15:11; Ps 9:1; Ps 71:15; Ps 92:5; Ps 139:17; Ps 139:18; Isa 55:8)6In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted, but you have given me an open ear.[1] Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required. (1Sa 15:22; Job 33:16; Ps 51:16; Pr 21:3; Heb 10:5)7Then I said, “Behold, I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me: (Lu 24:44)8I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.” (Ps 37:31; Ps 119:16; Ps 119:24; Ps 119:35; Ps 119:92; Joh 4:34)9I have told the glad news of deliverance[2] in the great congregation; behold, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O Lord. (Jos 22:22; Ps 22:25; Ps 119:13; Ac 20:20; Ac 20:27)10I have not hidden your deliverance 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.11As for you, O Lord, you will not restrain your mercy from me; your steadfast love and your faithfulness will ever preserve me! (Ps 36:5; Ps 57:3; Ps 61:7; Pr 20:28)12For evils have encompassed me beyond number; my iniquities have overtaken me, and I cannot see; they are more than the hairs of my head; my heart fails me. (Ps 38:4; Ps 38:10; Ps 69:4; Ps 73:26; Ps 116:3)13Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me! O Lord, make haste to help me! (Ps 22:19; Ps 22:20; Ps 38:22; Ps 70:1; Ps 71:12; Ps 141:1)14Let those be put to shame and disappointed altogether who seek to snatch away my life; let those be turned back and brought to dishonor who delight in my hurt! (Ps 6:10; Ps 35:4; Ps 35:26; Ps 71:13)15Let those be appalled because of their shame who say to me, “Aha, Aha!” (Ps 35:21; Ps 35:25; Ps 70:3)16But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, “Great is the Lord!” (Ps 35:27)17As 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! (Ps 86:1; Ps 109:22; 1Pe 5:7)