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Psalm 40^a

For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

I waited patiently for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry.

1

My Help and My Deliverer

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

I waited patiently for the Lord;
he inclined to me and heard my cry.

2

He 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.

2

He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
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 hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
and put their trust in him.

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

Blessed is the one
who trusts in the Lord,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods.b

4

Blessed is the man who makes
the Lord his trust,
who does not turn to the proud,
to those who go astray after a lie!

5

Many, 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.

5

You 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.

6

Sacrifice and offering you did not desire —
but my ears you have openedc —
burnt offerings and sin offeringsd you did not require.

6

In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted,
but you have given me an open ear.a
Burnt offering and sin offering
you have not required.

7

Then I said, “Here I am, I have come —
it is written about me in the scroll.e

7

Then I said, “Behold, I have come;
in the scroll of the book it is written of me:

8

I desire to do your will, my God;
your law is within my heart.”

8

I delight to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart.”

9

I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly;
I do not seal my lips, Lord,
as you know.

9

I have told the glad news of deliveranceb
in the great congregation;
behold, I have not restrained my lips,
as you know, O Lord.

10

I 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.

10

I 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.

11

Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord;
may your love and faithfulness always protect me.

11

As for you, O Lord, you will not restrain
your mercy from me;
your steadfast love and your faithfulness will
ever preserve me!

12

For 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.

12

For 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.

13

Be pleased to save me, Lord;
come quickly, Lord, to help me.

13

Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me!
O Lord, make haste to help me!

14

May all who want to take my life
be put to shame and confusion;
may all who desire my ruin
be turned back in disgrace.

14

Let 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!

15

May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!”
be appalled at their own shame.

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 long for your saving help always say,
“The Lord is great!”

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

But 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.

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!

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Psalms 40

Psalms 40