Psalm 40

For the choir director. Of David. A psalm.

1I waited and kept on waiting for Yahweh; he bent down to me and listened to my cry for help.

2He hauled me up from the pit of tumult, from the swamp’s thick clay; he planted my feet on a rock and made my steps steady.

3He placed a new song in my mouth, praise for our God. Many will see and be struck with awe, and they will rely on Yahweh.

4Blessed is the person who has made Yahweh his confidence and has not turned toward the arrogant, toward those who veer off into lies.

5Yahweh my God, you have done so many things—your marvelous works and your intentions toward us; there is no one to set beside you. Should I tell of them and speak of them, there are too many to number.

6Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—you have opened my ears—burnt offering and sin offering you did not ask for.

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

8I delight to do your will, my God; your law is deep within me.”

9I have proclaimed the good news of righteousness in the great assembly; see, I have not held back my lips, Yahweh, as you know.

10Your righteousness I did not keep hidden in my heart; I declared your faithfulness and your salvation; your steadfast love and your truth I have not kept secret from the great assembly.

11As for you, Yahweh, you will not hold back your compassion from me; at all times your steadfast love and your truth will watch over me.

12For evils past counting have closed in on me; my guilty deeds have caught up with me, and I am unable to see. They outnumber the hairs of my head, and my heart has abandoned me.

13Yahweh, may it please you to rescue me; Yahweh, hurry to my aid.

14Let those who seek my life to sweep it away be disgraced and humiliated together; let those who want to harm me be driven back and dishonored.

15Let those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!” be horrified as the reward of their shame.

16Let all who seek you be joyful and glad in you; let those who love your salvation keep saying, “Yahweh is great!”

17As for me, I am afflicted and in need; may the Lord keep me in mind. You are the one who helps me and sets me free; my God, do not be slow!