Psa 40 | HCSB | STEP | For the choir director . A Davidic psalm . I waited patiently for the Lord , and He turned to me and heard my cry for help .

Psalms 40

Thanksgiving and a Cry for Help

1 For the choir director. A Davidic psalm.

I waited patiently for the Lord,
and He turned to me and heard my cry for help. ^a
2 He brought me up from a desolate ^{▼▼Or watery} pit,
out of the muddy clay, ^c
and set my feet on a rock,
making my steps secure. ^d
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God. ^e
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the Lord. ^f

4 How happy is the man
who has put his trust in the Lord
and has not turned to the proud
or to those who run after lies! ^g
5 Lord my God, You have done many things –
Your wonderful 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. ^h

6 You do not delight in sacrifice and offering;
You open my ears to listen. ^{▼▼Lit You hollow out ears for me}
You do not ask for a whole ^{▼▼burnt offering(s): Or holocaust, an offering completely burned to ashes; it was used in connection with worship, seeking God's favor, expiating sin, or averting judgment.}burnt offering or a ^{▼▼sin offering(s): Or purification offering, the sin offering was the most important OT sacrifice for cleansing from impurities. It provided purification from sin and certain forms of ceremonial uncleanness.}sin offering. ^l
7 Then I said, “See, I have come;
it is written about me in the volume of the scroll. ^m
8 I delight to do Your will, my God; ⁿ
Your instruction lives within me.” ^{▼▼Lit instruction within my inner being
,} ^p

9 I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly;
see, I do not keep my mouth closed ^{▼▼Lit not restrain my lips} –
as You know, Lord. ^r
10 I 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. ^s

11 Lord, do not withhold Your compassion from me;
Your constant love and truth will always guard me. ^t
12 For troubles without number have surrounded me;
my sins have overtaken me; I am unable to see.
They are more than the hairs of my head,
and my courage leaves me. ^u
13 Lord, be pleased to deliver me;
hurry to help me, Lord. ^v

14 Let those who seek to take my life
be disgraced and confounded.
Let those who wish me harm
be driven back and humiliated. ^w
15 Let those who say to me, “Aha, aha!”
be horrified because of their shame. ^x

16 Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You;
let those who love Your salvation continually say,
“The Lord is great!” ^y
17 I am afflicted and needy;
the Lord thinks of me.
You are my helper and my deliverer;
my God, do not delay. ^z