Psalm 40

1 I waited patiently for the Lord;
he turned 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.

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.

4 Blessed are those
who make the Lord their trust,
who do not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods.

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.

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

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

8 I desire to do your will, 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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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!”

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.

PSALMS 40

A Prayer for Help

1 I patiently waited, [Lord],
for you to hear my prayer.
You listened

2 and pulled me
from a lonely pit
full of mud and mire.
You let me stand on a rock
with my feet firm,

3 and you gave me a new song,
a song of praise to you.
Many will see this,
and they will honor and trust
you, the [Lord] God.

4 You bless all of those
who trust you, [Lord],
and refuse to worship idols
or follow false gods.

5 You, [Lord] God, have done
many wonderful things,
and you have planned
marvelous things for us.
No one is like you!
I would never be able to tell
all you have done.

6  t Sacrifices and offerings
are not what please you;
gifts and payment for sin
are not what you demand.
But you made me willing
to listen and obey.

7 And so, I said, “I am here
to do what is written
about me in the book,
where it says,

8 ‘I enjoy pleasing you.
Your Law is in my heart.’ ”

9 When your people worshiped,
you know I told them,
“Our [Lord] always helps!”

10 When all your people met,
I did not keep silent.
I said, “Our [Lord] is kind.
He is faithful and caring,
and he saves us.”

11 You, [Lord], never fail
to have pity on me;
your love and faithfulness
always keep me secure.

12 I have more troubles
than I can count.
My sins are all around me,
and I can't find my way.
My sins outnumber
the hairs on my head,
and I feel weak.

13 Please show that you care
and come to my rescue.
Hurry and help me!

14 Disgrace and confuse
all who want me dead;
turn away and disgrace
all who want to hurt me.

15 Embarrass and shame
everyone who says,
“Just look at you now!”

16 Our [Lord], let your worshipers
rejoice and be glad.
They love you for saving them,
so let them always say,
“The [Lord] is wonderful!”

17 I am poor and needy,
but, [Lord] God,
you care about me,
and you come to my rescue.
Please hurry and help.