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! |