Psalm 40 - Easy To Read Version

¹ I called {\cf2\super [245]} to the Lord, and he heard me.\par He heard my cries.\par

² The Lord lifted me out of the grave. {\cf2\super [246]} \par He lifted me from that muddy place. {\cf2\super [247]} \par He picked me up,\par put me on solid ground\par and kept my feet from slipping.\par

³ The Lord put a new song {\cf2\super [248]} in my mouth,\par a song of praise to my God.\par Many people will see what happened to me,\par and they will worship God.\par They will trust the Lord.\par

⁴ If a person trusts the Lord,\par that person will be truly happy.\par A person will be truly happy\par if he doesn’t turn to demons and false gods {\cf2\super [249]} for help.\par

⁵ Lord, our God, you have done many wonderful things!\par You have wonderful plans for us.\par No person could list them all!\par I will tell again and again about\par those things\par that are too many to count.\par

⁶ Lord, you made me understand this: {\cf2\super [250]} \par You don’t really want\par sacrifices {\cf2\super [251]} and grain offerings.\par You don’t really want\par burnt offerings and sin offerings.\par

⁷ So I said,\par “Here \{I am! Take me.\}\par I am coming.\par This was written about me in the book.\par

⁸ My God, I want to do what you want.\par I know your teachings.\par

⁹ I told the good news of victory {\cf2\super [252]} \par to the people in the great assembly.\par And Lord, you know that\par I will never stop telling that good news!\par

¹⁰ Lord, I told about the good things you did.\par I did not hide those things in my heart.\par Lord, I told people they can depend\par on you to save them.\par I did not hide your kindness and loyalty\par from the people in the assembly.\par

¹¹ So Lord, don’t hide your mercy from me!\par Let your kindness and loyalty protect me.”\par

¹² Evil people have gathered around me.\par They are too many to count!\par My sins have caught me,\par and I can’t escape them.\par They are more than the hairs on my head.\par I have lost my courage.\par

¹³ Run to me, Lord, and save me!\par Lord, come quickly and help me!\par

¹⁴ Those evil people are trying to kill me.\par Lord, make those people ashamed and disappointed.\par Those people want to hurt me.\par Let them run away in shame!\par

¹⁵ Those bad people make fun of me.\par Let them be too embarrassed to speak!\par

¹⁶ But let those people that come to you\par be happy and rejoice.\par They love being saved by you.\par So let them always say,\par “Praise the Lord!” {\cf2\super [253]} \par

¹⁷ Master, I am only a poor, helpless man.\par Help me. Save me.\par My God, don’t be too late!\par