Psalm 40 :: English Standard Version (ESV)

My Help and My Deliverer

(Psa 70:1–5 )

Psa 40:1To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
I waited patiently for the LORD;
he inclined to me and heard my cry.

Psa 40:2He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
making my steps secure.

Psa 40:3

Psa 40:3He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
and put their trust in the LORD.

Psa 40:4

Psa 40:4Blessed is the man who makes
the LORD his trust,
who does not turn to the proud,
to those who go astray after a lie!

Psa 40:5

Psa 40:5You have multiplied, O LORD my God,
your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;
none can compare with you!
I will proclaim and tell of them,
yet they are more than can be told.

Psa 40:6

Psa 40:6In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted,
but you have given me an open ear.[fn]
Burnt offering and sin offering
you have not required.

Psa 40:7

Psa 40:7Then I said, “Behold, I have come;
in the scroll of the book it is written of me:

Psa 40:8

Psa 40:8I delight to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart.”

Psa 40:9

Psa 40:9I have told the glad news of deliverance[fn]
in the great congregation;
behold, I have not restrained my lips,
as you know, O LORD.

Psa 40:10

Psa 40:10I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart;
I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;
I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness
from the great congregation.

Psa 40:11

Psa 40:11As for you, O LORD, you will not restrain
your mercy from me;
your steadfast love and your faithfulness will
ever preserve me!

Psa 40:12

Psa 40:12For evils have encompassed me
beyond number;
my iniquities have overtaken me,
and I cannot see;
they are more than the hairs of my head;
my heart fails me.

Psa 40:13

Psa 40:13Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me!
O LORD, make haste to help me!

Psa 40:14

Psa 40:14Let those be put to shame and disappointed altogether
who seek to snatch away my life;
let those be turned back and brought to dishonor
who delight in my hurt!

Psa 40:15

Psa 40:15Let those be appalled because of their shame
who say to me, “Aha, Aha!”

Psa 40:16

Psa 40:16But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation
say continually, “Great is the LORD!”

Psa 40:17

Psa 40:17As for me, I am poor and needy,
but the Lord takes thought for me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
do not delay, O my God!

See the ESV Preface (Especially for Parenthesis, Brackets, & Asterisks).

ESV Footnotes

(40:6)

Hebrew ears you have dug for me

(40:9)

Hebrew righteousness; also verse 10

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For more information on this translation, see the ESV Preface.