Psalm 40

God Sustains His Servant.

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. 1I waited patiently and expectantly for the LORD;
And He inclined to me and heard my cry. 2He brought me up out of a horrible pit [of tumult and of destruction], out of the miry clay,
And He set my feet upon a rock, steadying my footsteps and establishing my path. 3He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God;
Many will see and fear [with great reverence]
And will trust confidently in the LORD. 4Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who makes the LORD his trust,
And does not regard the proud nor those who lapse into lies. 5Many, O LORD my God, are the wonderful works which You have done,
And Your thoughts toward us;
There is none to compare with You.
If I would declare and speak of your wonders,
They would be too many to count. 6Sacrifice and meal offering You do not desire, nor do You delight in them;
You have opened my ears and given me the capacity to hear [and obey Your word];
Burnt offerings and sin offerings You do not require. 7Then I said, “Behold, I come [to the throne];
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.” 9I have proclaimed good news of righteousness [and the joy that comes from obedience to You] in the great assembly;
Behold, I will not restrain my lips [from proclaiming Your righteousness],
As You know, O LORD. 10I have not concealed Your righteousness within my heart;
I have proclaimed Your faithfulness and Your salvation.
I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth from the great assembly. 11Do not withhold Your compassion and tender mercy from me, O LORD;
Your lovingkindness and Your truth will continually preserve me. 12For innumerable evils have encompassed me;
My sins have overtaken me, so that I am not able to see.
They are more numerous than the hairs of my head,
And my heart has failed me. 13Be pleased, O LORD, to save me;
O LORD, make haste to help me. 14Let those be ashamed and humiliated together
Who seek my life to destroy it;
Let those be turned back [in defeat] and dishonored
Who delight in my hurt. 15Let those be appalled and desolate because of their shame
Who say to me, “Aha, aha [rejoicing in my misfortune]!” 16Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You;
Let those who love Your salvation say continually,
“The LORD be magnified!” 17Even though I am afflicted and needy,
Still the Lord takes thought and is mindful of me.
You are my help and my rescuer.
O my God, do not delay.