Psalm 40

Thanksgiving and a Cry for Help

For the choir director. A psalm of David.

¹I waited patiently for the Lord,

and he turned to me and heard my cry for help. ^a

²He brought me up from a desolate ^b pit,

out of the muddy clay, ^c

and set my feet on a rock,

making my steps secure. ^d

³He put a new song in my mouth,

a hymn of praise to our God. ^e

Many will see and fear,

and they will trust in the Lord. ^f

⁴How happy is anyone

who has put his trust in the Lord

and has not turned to the proud

or to those who run after lies! ^g

⁵Lord my God, you have done many things —

your wondrous 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. ^h

⁶You do not delight in sacrifice and offering;

you open my ears to listen. ⁱ

You do not ask for a whole burnt offering or a sin offering. ^j

⁷Then I said, “See, I have come;

in the scroll it is written about me. ^k

⁸I delight to do your will, my God, ^l

and your instruction is deep within me.” ^m

⁹I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly;

see, I do not keep my mouth closed ⁿ —

as you know, Lord. ^o

¹⁰I 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. ^p

¹¹Lord, you do not ^q withhold your compassion from me.

Your constant love and truth will always guard me. ^r

¹²For troubles without number have surrounded me;

my iniquities have overtaken me; I am unable to see.

They are more than the hairs of my head,

and my courage leaves me. ^s

¹³Lord, be pleased to rescue me;

hurry to help me, Lord. ^t

¹⁴Let those who intend to take my life

be disgraced and confounded.

Let those who wish me harm

be turned back and humiliated. ^u

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

be appalled because of their shame. ^v

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

let those who love your salvation continually say,

“The Lord is great! ” ^w

¹⁷I am oppressed and needy;

may the Lord think of me.

You are my helper and my deliverer;

my God, do not delay. ^x