THIS MONTH ONLY: FREE CATECHISM AND BIBLE BOOKS with CatholicBrain Annual Subscription. Upgrade nowSign Up

Psalm 40

Please or start a free trial to access this content.

Psalm 40

Thanksgiving for Deliverance and Prayer for Help

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

1I waited patiently for the Lord;

he inclined to me and heard my cry.

2He drew me up from the desolate pit,a

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.

4Blessed is the man who makes

the Lord his trust,

who does not turn to the proud,

to those who go astray after false gods!

5Thou hast multiplied, O Lord my God,

thy wondrous deeds and thy thoughts toward us;

none can compare with thee!

Were I to proclaim and tell of them,

they would be more than can be numbered.

6Sacrifice and offering thou dost not desire;

but thou hast given me an open ear.b

Burnt offering and sin offering

thou hast not required.

7Then I said, "Lo, I come;

in the roll of the book it is written of me;

8I delight to do thy will, O my God;

thy law is within my heart."

9I have told the glad news of deliverance

in the great congregation;

lo, I have not restrained my lips,

as thou knowest, O Lord.

10I have not hid thy saving help within my heart,

I have spoken of thy faithfulness and thy salvation;

I have not concealed thy steadfast love and thy faithfulness

from the great congregation.

11Do not thou, O Lord, withhold

thy mercy from me,

let thy steadfast love and thy faithfulness

ever preserve me!

12For evils have encompassed me

without number;

my iniquities have overtaken me,

till I cannot see;

they are more than the hairs of my head;

my heart fails me.

13Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me!

Lord, make haste to help me!

14Let them be put to shame and confusion altogether

who seek to snatch away my life;

let them be turned back and brought to dishonor

who desire my hurt!

15Let them be appalled because of their shame

who say to me, "Aha, Aha!"

16But may all who seek thee

rejoice and be glad in thee;

may those who love thy salvation

say continually, "Great is the Lord!"

17As for me, I am poor and needy;

but the Lord takes thought for me.

Thou art my help and my deliverer;

do not tarry, O my God!