40:1  I WAITED patiently {and} expectantly for the Lord; and He inclined to me and heard my cry.

40:2  He drew me up out of a horrible pit [a pit of tumult and of destruction], out of the miry clay (froth and slime), and set my feet upon a rock, steadying my steps {and} establishing my goings.

40:3  And He has put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many shall see and fear (revere and worship) and put their trust {and} confident reliance in the Lord.

40:4  Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who makes the Lord his refuge {and} trust, and turns not to the proud or to followers of false gods.

40:5  Many, O Lord my God, are the wonderful works which You have done, and Your thoughts toward us; no one can compare with You! If I should declare and speak of them, they are too many to be numbered.

40:6  Sacrifice and offering You do not desire, {nor} have You delight in them; You have given me the capacity to hear {and} obey [Your law, a more valuable service than] burnt offerings and sin offerings [which] You do not require.

40:7  Then said I, Behold, I come; in the volume of the book it is written of me;

40:8  I delight to do Your will, O my God; yes, Your law is within my heart.

40:9  I have proclaimed glad tidings of righteousness in the great assembly [tidings of uprightness and right standing with God]. Behold, I have not restrained my lips, as You know, O Lord.

40:10  I have not concealed Your righteousness within my heart; I have proclaimed Your faithfulness and Your salvation. I have not hid away Your steadfast love and Your truth from the great assembly.

40:11  Withhold not Your tender mercy from me, O Lord; let Your loving-kindness and Your truth continually preserve me!

40:12  For innumerable evils have compassed me about; my iniquities have taken such hold on me that I am not able to look up. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart has failed me {and} forsaken me.

40:13  Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me; O Lord, make haste to help me!

40:14  Let them be put to shame and confounded together who seek {and} require my life to destroy it; let them be driven backward and brought to dishonor who wish me evil {and} delight in my hurt!

40:15  Let them be desolate by reason of their shame who say to me, Aha, aha!

40:16  Let all those that seek {and} require You rejoice and be glad in You; let such as love Your salvation say continually, The Lord be magnified!

40:17  [As for me] I am poor and needy, yet the Lord takes thought {and} plans for me. You are my Help and my Deliverer. O my God, do not tarry!