Psalm 40 | New International Version

For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

1 I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. 2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him. 4 Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.* 5 Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare. 6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire – but my ears you have opened* – burnt offerings and sin offerings* you did not require. 7 Then I said, ‘Here I am, I have come – it is written about me in the scroll.* 8 I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.’ 9 I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, Lord, as you know. 10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help. I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness from the great assembly. 11 Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord; may your love and faithfulness always protect me. 12 For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me. 13 Be pleased to save me, Lord; come quickly, Lord, to help me. 14 May all who want to take my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace. 15 May those who say to me, ‘Aha! Aha!’ be appalled at their own shame. 16 But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, ‘The Lord is great!’ 17 But as for me, I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; you are my God, do not delay.

New International Reader’s Version

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1 I was patient while I waited for the LORD. He turned to me and heard my cry for help. 2 I was sliding down into the pit of death, and he pulled me out. He brought me up out of the mud and dirt. He set my feet on a rock. He gave me a firm place to stand on. 3 He gave me a new song to sing. It is a hymn of praise to our God. Many people will see and have respect for the LORD. They will put their trust in him. 4 Blessed is the person who trusts in the LORD. They don’t trust in proud people. Those proud people worship statues of gods. 5 LORD my God, no one can compare with you. You have done many wonderful things. You have planned to do these things for us. There are too many of them for me to talk about. 6 You didn’t want sacrifices and offerings. You didn’t require burnt offerings and sin offerings. You opened my ears so that I could hear you and obey you. 7 Then I said, ‘Here I am. It is written about me in the book. 8 My God, I have come to do what you want. Your law is in my heart.’ 9 I have told the whole community of those who worship you. I have told them what you have done to save me. LORD, you know that I haven’t kept quiet. 10 I haven’t kept to myself that what you did for me was right. I have spoken about how faithful you were when you saved me. I haven’t hidden your love and your faithfulness from the whole community. 11 LORD, don’t hold back your mercy from me. May your love and faithfulness always keep me safe. 12 There are more troubles all around me than I can count. My sins have caught up with me, and I can’t see any longer. My sins are more than the hairs of my head. I have lost all hope. 13 LORD, please save me. LORD, come quickly to help me. 14 Let all those who are trying to kill me be put to shame. Let them lose their way. Let all those who want to destroy me be turned back in shame. 15 Some people make fun of me. Let them be shocked when their plans fail. 16 But let all those who seek you be joyful and glad because of what you have done. Let those who count on you to save them always say, ‘The LORD is great!’ 17 But I am poor and needy. May the Lord be concerned about me. You are the God who helps me and saves me. You are my God, so don’t wait any longer.

Psalm 40 | New International Version New International Reader’s Version

For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

For the director of music. A psalm of David.