Thanksgiving for Deliverance and Prayer for Help

To the leader. Of David. A Psalm.

1I waited patiently for the LORD;

he inclined to me and heard my cry.

2He drew me up from the desolate pit,40.2 Cn: Heb pit of tumult

out of the miry bog,

and set my feet upon a rock,

making my steps secure.

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.

4Happy are those who make

the LORD their trust,

who do not turn to the proud,

to those who go astray after false gods.

5You have multiplied, O LORD my God,

your wondrous deeds and your thoughts towards us;

none can compare with you.

Were I to proclaim and tell of them,

they would be more than can be counted.

6Sacrifice and offering you do not desire,

but you have given me an open ear.40.6 Heb ears you have dug for me

Burnt-offering and sin-offering

you have not required.

7Then I said, ‘Here I am;

in the scroll of the book it is written of me.40.7 Meaning of Heb uncertain

8I delight to do your will, O my God;

your law is within my heart.’

9I have told the glad news of deliverance

in the great congregation;

see, I have not restrained my lips,

as you know, O LORD.

10I have not hidden your saving help 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.

11Do not, O LORD, withhold

your mercy from me;

let your steadfast love and your faithfulness

keep me safe for ever.

12For evils have encompassed me

without number;

my iniquities have overtaken me,

until I cannot see;

they are more than the hairs of my head,

and my heart fails me.

13Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me;

O LORD, make haste to help me.

14Let all those be put to shame and confusion

who seek to snatch away my life;

let those be turned back and brought to dishonour

who desire my hurt.

15Let those be appalled because of their shame

who say to me, ‘Aha, Aha!’

16But may all who seek you

rejoice and be glad in you;

may those who love your salvation

say continually, ‘Great is the LORD!’

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.