Psalms 40

Thanksgiving and a Cry for Help

For the choir director. A Davidic psalm.

1I waited patiently for the Lord,

and He turned to me and heard my cry for help. # Ps 27:14; 34:15; 37:7

2He brought me up from a desolate # Or watery pit,

out of the muddy clay, # Ps 69:2,14

and set my feet on a rock,

making my steps secure. # Ps 27:5; 37:23

3He put a new song in my mouth,

a hymn of praise to our God. # Ps 33:3

Many will see and fear

and put their trust in the Lord. # Dt 13:11

4How happy is the man

who has put his trust in the Lord

and has not turned to the proud

or to those who run after lies! # Jb 23:11; Ps 84:12

5Lord my God, You have done many things —

Your wonderful 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. # Jb 5:9; Ps 71:15; 139:17-18

6You do not delight in sacrifice and offering;

You open my ears to listen. # Lit You hollow out ears for me

You do not ask for a whole burnt offering or a sin offering. # 1Sm 15:22; Ps 51:16; Am 5:22

7Then I said, “See, I have come;

it is written about me in the volume of the scroll. # Lk 24:44

8I delight to do Your will, my God; # Ps 119:16,24; Jn 4:34

Your instruction lives within me.” # Lit instruction within my inner being # Ps 119:11; Heb 10:5-9

9I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly;

see, I do not keep my mouth closed # Lit not restrain my lips —

as You know, Lord. # Ps 22:22,25

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. # Ac 20:20

11Lord, do not withhold Your compassion from me;

Your constant love and truth will always guard me. # Ps 36:5; 57:3; 61:7

12For troubles without number have surrounded me;

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

They are more than the hairs of my head,

and my courage leaves me. # Ps 38:4; 65:3

13Lord, be pleased to deliver me;

hurry to help me, Lord. # Ps 70:1

14Let those who seek to take my life

be disgraced and confounded.

Let those who wish me harm

be driven back and humiliated. # Ps 35:4,26; 63:9; 70:2

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

be horrified because of their shame. # Ps 35:21,25; 70:3

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

let those who love Your salvation continually say,

“The Lord is great! ” # Ps 35:27; 70:4

17I am afflicted and needy;

the Lord thinks of me.

You are my helper and my deliverer;

my God, do not delay. # Ps 86:1; 109:22

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