Psalms 40

1 I waited patiently [with expectation, quietly] for the LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God]; He inclined [turned, bowed down] to me and heard [listened to, gave ear to] my cry [call for help, prayer]. word study 2 He lifted me up [out of a deep pit, from a horrible place] from the pit of despair [a deep waste place, a pit of destruction], out of the miry clay [the mud and the slime]; He set my feet [established my goings, gave me a firm place to stand] upon a rock [a solid rock], and made my footsteps firm [established my steps, enabled me to walk safely]. word study 3 He put [gave, placed] a new [fresh, renewed] song [hymn, melody] in my mouth, a hymn [praise, worship] of praise [adoration, thanksgiving] to our God [Elohim, the supreme God]. Many [numerous, a great multitude] will see [behold, perceive] and fear [reverence, awe] and put [trust, rely] their trust [faith, confidence] in the LORD [the Almighty, the Eternal]. word study 4 Blessed [happy, fortunate] is the man who has made the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] his trust [confidence, faith], who has not turned [resorted, looked] to the proud [arrogant, haughty], nor to those who lapse [turn aside, fall away] into falsehood [lies, deception]. word study 5 Many, O LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] my God [the supreme Creator], are the wonders [marvelous, extraordinary works] You have done, and the plans [thoughts, intentions] You have for us— none can compare [be equal, match] to You— if I proclaim [declare, speak of] and declare [speak, tell] them, they are more than I can count [number, reckon]. word study 6 Sacrifice [offerings to atone for sin] and offering [gifts to honor God] You did not desire [have no delight in], but my ears [enabling me to hear and understand] You have opened [prepared to listen]. Burnt offerings [animals completely consumed by fire] and sin offerings [atonement for wrongdoing] You did not require [demand or necessitate]. word study 7 Then I said, “Here I am [Lo, I come, behold], I have come [to do your will, as written]— it is written [in the volume, roll] about me [of me, concerning my life] in the scroll [book, containing your laws]: word study 8 I delight [take great pleasure, am pleased] to do Your will [desire, good pleasure], O my God [the supreme Creator, Elohim]; Your law [instruction, guidance] is within [deeply rooted in, written on] my heart [inner being, mind].” word study 9 I proclaim [declare, preach] righteousness [justice, moral integrity] in the great assembly [large crowd, congregation]; behold, I do not seal [refrain, hold back] my lips [words, speech], as You, O LORD [God, Yehovah], do know [are aware, have knowledge]. word study 10 I have not covered up [hid or concealed] Your righteousness [justice, moral integrity] in my heart; I have declared [proclaimed, announced] Your faithfulness [loyalty, trustworthiness] and salvation [deliverance, rescue]; I have not concealed [kept secret, hidden] Your loving devotion [kindness, mercy] and faithfulness [truth, reliability] from the great assembly [congregation, gathering]. word study 11 O LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God], do not withhold [refrain from or hold back] Your mercy [tender lovingkindness, kindness] from me; Your loving devotion [faithful love, loyal kindness] and faithfulness [trustworthiness] will always [continually, at all times] guard [preserve, protect] me. word study 12 For evils [innumerable troubles, unnumbered problems] without number surround me; my sins [iniquities, wrongdoing] have overtaken me, so that I cannot see [look up, find my way]. They are more than the hairs of my head [the number of hairs on my head], and my heart [inner being, spirit] has failed [given up, forsaken] within me. word study 13 Be pleased [to show favor, be gracious], O LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God], to deliver [rescue, save] me; hurry [make haste, come quickly], O LORD, to help [assist, support] me. word study 14 May those who seek [pursue, desire to destroy] my life [soul, very being] be ashamed [confounded, humiliated] and confounded [disappointed, put to shame]; may those who wish [desire, delight in] me harm [evil, trouble] be repelled [driven backward, turned away] and humiliated [brought to dishonor, put to shame]. word study 15 May those who say to me [with scorn and mockery], “Aha, aha [exulting over me, rejoicing at my misfortune]!” be appalled [desolate, shocked] at their own [deep, utter] shame [humiliation, disgrace]. word study 16 May all who seek [diligently search for, come to worship] You rejoice [be filled with joy, gladness] and be glad [have delight, joy] in You; may those who love [cherish, have affection for] Your salvation [deliverance, rescue] always say [continually declare, proclaim], “The LORD [Yehovah, the Eternal One] be magnified [exalted, praised]!” word study 17 But I am poor [in spirit, needy] and needy [lacking, destitute]; may the Lord [Yehovah, the covenant God] think of me [remember, consider]. You are my helper [assistant, aid] and deliverer [savior, rescuer]; O my God [Elohim, the supreme God], do not delay [tarry, wait]. word study