Psalms 40 WEB
Summary: Psalm 40 combines a thanksgiving for past deliverance, "I waited patiently for the LORD... he drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog" (v. 1-2), with a fresh lament as troubles multiply again. Its striking claim that God desires obedience over ritual, "sacrifice and offering you have not desired, but you have given me an open ear... I delight to do your will" (v. 6, 8), is quoted in Hebrews 10 in connection with Christ. Its closing verses (v. 13-17) reappear nearly verbatim as the whole of Psalm 70.
1I waited patiently for Yahweh. He turned to me, and heard my cry.
2He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay. He set my feet on a rock, and gave me a firm place to stand.
3He has put a new song in my mouth, even praise to our God. Many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in Yahweh.
4Blessed is the man who makes Yahweh his trust, and doesn’t respect the proud, nor such as turn away to lies.
5Many, Yahweh, my God, are the wonderful works which you have done, and your thoughts which are toward us. They can’t be declared back to you. If I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be counted.
6Sacrifice and offering you didn’t desire. You have opened my ears. You have not required burnt offering and sin offering.
7Then I said, “Behold, I have come. It is written about me in the book in the scroll.
8I delight to do your will, my God. Yes, your law is within my heart.”
9I have proclaimed glad news of righteousness in the great assembly. Behold, I will not seal my lips, Yahweh, you know.
10I have not hidden your righteousness within my heart. I have declared your faithfulness and your salvation. I have not concealed your loving kindness and your truth from the great assembly.
11Don’t withhold your tender mercies from me, Yahweh. Let your loving kindness and your truth continually preserve me.
12For innumerable evils have surrounded me. My iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to look up. They are more than the hairs of my head. My heart has failed me.
13Be pleased, Yahweh, to deliver me. Hurry to help me, Yahweh.
14Let them be disappointed and confounded together who seek after my soul to destroy it. Let them be turned backward and brought to dishonor who delight in my hurt.
15Let them be desolate by reason of their shame that tell me, “Aha! Aha!”
16Let all those who seek you rejoice and be glad in you. Let such as love your salvation say continually, “Let Yahweh be exalted!”
17But I am poor and needy. May the Lord think about me. You are my help and my deliverer. Don’t delay, my God.
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