Psalm 40

[1]   I waited patiently for the LORD;  

          he inclined to me and heard my cry.  

[2]   He drew me up from the desolate pit,  

          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 song of praise to our God.  

     Many will see and fear,  

          and put their trust in the LORD.

[4]   Happy are those who make  

          the LORD their trust,  

     who do not turn to the proud,  

          to those who go astray after false gods.  

[5]   You have multiplied, O LORD my God,  

          your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;  

          none can compare with you.  

     Were I to proclaim and tell of them,  

          they would be more than can be counted.

[6]   Sacrifice and offering you do not desire,  

          but you have given me an open ear.  

     Burnt offering and sin offering  

          you have not required.  

[7]   Then I said, "Here I am;  

          in the scroll of the book it is written of me.  

[8]   I delight to do your will, O my God;  

          your law is within my heart."

[9]   I have told the glad news of deliverance  

          in the great congregation;  

     see, I have not restrained my lips,  

          as you know, O LORD.  

[10]  I have not hidden your saving help 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, O LORD, withhold  

          your mercy from me;  

     let your steadfast love and your faithfulness  

          keep me safe forever.  

[12]  For evils have encompassed me  

          without number;  

     my iniquities have overtaken me,  

          until I cannot see;  

     they are more than the hairs of my head,  

          and my heart fails me.

[13]  Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me;  

          O LORD, make haste to help me.  

[14]  Let all those be put to shame and confusion  

          who seek to snatch away my life;  

     let those be turned back and brought to dishonor  

          who desire my hurt.  

[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 love your salvation  

          say continually, "Great is the LORD!"  

[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.