Aa
Psalm 40
Thanksgiving and a Cry for Help
For the choir director. A psalm of David.
1I waited patiently for the Lord,
and he turned to me and heard my cry for help.40:1 Ps 27:14; 34:15; 37:7
2He brought me up from a desolate40:2 Or watery pit,
out of the muddy clay,40:2 Ps 69:2,14; Jr 38:6–13
and set my feet on a rock,
making my steps secure.40:2 Ps 27:5; 37:23
3He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.40:3 Ps 33:3
Many will see and fear,
and they will trust in the Lord.40:3 Dt 13:11

4How happy is anyone
who has put his trust in the Lord
and has not turned to the proud
or to those who run after lies!40:4 Jb 23:11; Ps 84:12
5 Lord my God, you have done many things —
your wondrous 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.40:5 Jb 5:9; Ps 71:15; 139:17–18

6You do not delight in sacrifice and offering;
you open my ears to listen.40:6 Lit you hollow out ears for me
You do not ask for a whole burnt offering or a sin offering.40:6 1Sm 15:22; Ps 51:16; Am 5:22
7Then I said, “See, I have come;
in the scroll it is written about me.40:7 Lk 24:44
8I delight to do your will, my God,40:8 Ps 119:16,24; Jn 4:34
and your instruction is deep within me.”40:6–8 Ps 119:11; Heb 10:5–9

9I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly;
see, I do not keep my mouth closed40:9 Lit not restrain my lips —
as you know, Lord.40:9 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.40:10 Ac 20:20

11 Lord, you do not40:11 Or Lord, do not withhold your compassion from me.
Your constant love and truth will always guard me.40:11 Ps 36:5; 57:3; 61:7
12For troubles without number have surrounded me;
my iniquities have overtaken me; I am unable to see.
They are more than the hairs of my head,
and my courage leaves me.40:12 Ps 38:4; 65:3
13 Lord, be pleased to rescue me;
hurry to help me, Lord.40:13 Ps 70:1

14Let those who intend to take my life
be disgraced and confounded.
Let those who wish me harm
be turned back and humiliated.40:14 Ps 35:4,26; 63:9; 70:2
15Let those who say to me, “Aha, aha!”
be appalled because of their shame.40:15 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!” 40:16 Ps 35:27; 70:4
17I am oppressed and needy;
may the Lord think of me.
You are my helper and my deliverer;
my God, do not delay.40:17 Ps 86:1; 109:22