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Praise and Prayer for Help

For the director of music. A song of David.

40 I waited patiently for the Lord.
    He turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the pit of destruction,
    out of the sticky mud.
He stood me on a rock.
    He made my feet steady.
He put a new song in my mouth.
    It was a song of praise to our God.
Many people will see this and worship him.
    Then they will trust the Lord.

Happy is the person
    who trusts the Lord.
He doesn’t turn to those who are proud,
    to those who worship false gods.
Lord our God, you have done many miracles.
    Your plans for us are many.
If I tried to tell them all,
    there would be too many to count.

You do not want sacrifices and offerings.
    But you have made a hole in my ear
    to show that my body and life are yours.
You do not ask for burnt offerings
    and offerings to take away sins.
Then I said, “Look, I have come.
    It is written about me in the book.
My God, I want to do what you want.
    Your teachings are in my heart.”

I will tell about your goodness in the great meeting of your people.
    Lord, you know my lips are not silent.
10 I do not hide your goodness in my heart.
    I speak about your loyalty and salvation.
I do not hide your love and truth
    from the people in the great meeting.

11 Lord, do not hold back your mercy from me.
    Let your love and truth always protect me.
12 Troubles have gathered around me.
    There are too many to count.
My sins have caught me.
    I cannot see a way to escape.
I have more sins than hairs on my head.
    I have lost my courage.
13 Please, Lord, save me.
    Hurry, Lord, to help me.
14 People are trying to kill me.
    Shame them and disgrace them.
People want to hurt me.
    Let them run away in disgrace.
15 People are making fun of me.
    Let them be shamed into silence.
16 But let those who follow you
    be happy and glad.
They love you for saving them.
    May they always say, “Praise the Lord!”

17 Lord, I am poor and helpless.
    But please remember me.
You are my helper and savior.
    My God, do not wait.

Psalm 40[a](A)

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

I waited patiently(B) for the Lord;
    he turned to me and heard my cry.(C)
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,(D)
    out of the mud(E) and mire;(F)
he set my feet(G) on a rock(H)
    and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song(I) in my mouth,
    a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord(J)
    and put their trust(K) in him.

Blessed is the one(L)
    who trusts in the Lord,(M)
who does not look to the proud,(N)
    to those who turn aside to false gods.[b](O)
Many, Lord my God,
    are the wonders(P) you have done,
    the things you planned for us.
None can compare(Q) with you;
    were I to speak and tell of your deeds,
    they would be too many(R) to declare.

Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—(S)
    but my ears you have opened[c](T)
    burnt offerings(U) and sin offerings[d] you did not require.
Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—
    it is written about me in the scroll.[e](V)
I desire to do your will,(W) my God;(X)
    your law is within my heart.”(Y)

I proclaim your saving acts(Z) in the great assembly;(AA)
    I do not seal my lips, Lord,
    as you know.(AB)
10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
    I speak of your faithfulness(AC) and your saving help.
I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness
    from the great assembly.(AD)

11 Do not withhold your mercy(AE) from me, Lord;
    may your love(AF) and faithfulness(AG) always protect(AH) me.
12 For troubles(AI) without number surround me;
    my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.(AJ)
They are more than the hairs of my head,(AK)
    and my heart fails(AL) within me.
13 Be pleased to save me, Lord;
    come quickly, Lord, to help me.(AM)

14 May all who want to take my life(AN)
    be put to shame and confusion;(AO)
may all who desire my ruin(AP)
    be turned back in disgrace.
15 May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!”(AQ)
    be appalled at their own shame.
16 But may all who seek you(AR)
    rejoice and be glad(AS) in you;
may those who long for your saving help always say,
    “The Lord is great!”(AT)

17 But as for me, I am poor and needy;(AU)
    may the Lord think(AV) of me.
You are my help(AW) and my deliverer;(AX)
    you are my God, do not delay.(AY)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 40:1 In Hebrew texts 40:1-17 is numbered 40:2-18.
  2. Psalm 40:4 Or to lies
  3. Psalm 40:6 Hebrew; some Septuagint manuscripts but a body you have prepared for me
  4. Psalm 40:6 Or purification offerings
  5. Psalm 40:7 Or come / with the scroll written for me