Psalm 40 :: New Living Translation (NLT)

(Psa 70:1–5 )

Psa 40:1For the choir director: A psalm of David.

I waited patiently for the LORD to help me,
and he turned to me and heard my cry.

Psa 40:2

Psa 40:2He lifted me out of the pit of despair,
out of the mud and the mire.
He set my feet on solid ground
and steadied me as I walked along.

Psa 40:3

Psa 40:3He has given me a new song to sing,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see what he has done and be amazed.
They will put their trust in the LORD.

Psa 40:4

Psa 40:4Oh, the joys of those who trust the LORD,
who have no confidence in the proud
or in those who worship idols.

Psa 40:5

Psa 40:5O LORD my God, you have performed many wonders for us.
Your plans for us are too numerous to list.
You have no equal.
If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds,
I would never come to the end of them.

Psa 40:6

Psa 40:6You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings.
Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand[fn]—
you don’t require burnt offerings or sin offerings.

Psa 40:7

Psa 40:7Then I said, “Look, I have come.
As is written about me in the Scriptures:

Psa 40:8

Psa 40:8I take joy in doing your will, my God,
for your instructions are written on my heart.”

Psa 40:9

Psa 40:9I have told all your people about your justice.
I have not been afraid to speak out,
as you, O LORD, well know.

Psa 40:10

Psa 40:10I have not kept the good news of your justice hidden in my heart;
I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power.
I have told everyone in the great assembly
of your unfailing love and faithfulness.

Psa 40:11

Psa 40:11LORD, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me.
Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me.

Psa 40:12

Psa 40:12For troubles surround me—
too many to count!
My sins pile up so high
I can’t see my way out.
They outnumber the hairs on my head.
I have lost all courage.

Psa 40:13

Psa 40:13Please, LORD, rescue me!
Come quickly, LORD, and help me.

Psa 40:14

Psa 40:14May those who try to destroy me
be humiliated and put to shame.
May those who take delight in my trouble
be turned back in disgrace.

Psa 40:15

Psa 40:15Let them be horrified by their shame,
for they said, “Aha! We’ve got him now!”

Psa 40:16

Psa 40:16But may all who search for you
be filled with joy and gladness in you.
May those who love your salvation
repeatedly shout, “The LORD is great!”

Psa 40:17

Psa 40:17As for me, since I am poor and needy,
let the Lord keep me in his thoughts.
You are my helper and my savior.
O my God, do not delay.

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

NLT Footnotes

(40:6)

Greek text reads You have given me a body. Compare Heb 10:5.

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