Psalm 40 - Modern English Version

For the Music Director. A Psalm of David.

¹ I waited patiently for the Lord, and He turned to me and heard my cry.

² He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps.

³ He has put a new song in my mouth, praise to our God; many will see it and fear, and will trust in the Lord.

⁴ Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after lies.

⁵ You have multiplied, O  Lord my God, Your wondrous deeds and Your thoughts toward us; none can compare with You. if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.

⁶ Sacrifice and offering You did not desire; my ears You have opened. Burnt offering and sin offering You have not required.

⁷ Then I said, “Behold, I have come; 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.”

⁹ I have proclaimed the glad news of righteousness in the great congregation; behold, I have not restrained my lips, O  Lord, as You know.

¹⁰ I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth from the great congregation.

¹¹ Withhold not Your mercy from me, O  Lord; let Your lovingkindness and Your truth continually preserve me.

¹² For innumerable evils have surrounded me; my iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of my head; therefore my heart fails me.

¹³ Be pleased, O  Lord, to deliver me; O  Lord, make haste to help me.

¹⁴ Let them be ashamed and confounded together who seek to snatch away my life; let them be driven backward and dishonored who desire my hurt.

¹⁵ Let them be appalled because of their shame who say to me, “Aha, aha!”

¹⁶ Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; let those who love Your salvation say continually, “The Lord be magnified!”

¹⁷ But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord is mindful of me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God.