40
A psalm written by David for the choir director
1 I waited patiently for Yahweh to help me,
and he listened to me [DOU] when I called out to him.
2 When I had many troubles, it was as though I was in a deep pit.
But he lifted me up out of the mud and slime of that pit;
he set my feet on a solid rock,
and enabled me to walk ◄safely/without falling►.
3 He has given me a new song to sing,
a song to praise him who is our God.
Many people will find out what he has done for me,
and they will revere and trust him.
4 Yahweh is pleased with those who trust him,
those who do not trust in idols
or join with those who worship those false gods.
5 O Yahweh, my God, you have done many wonderful things!
No one can list all the wonderful things that you have planned for us.
If I tried to tell others about all those wonderful things,
I would not be able to,
because there would be too many for me to mention.
6 Various kinds of sacrifices and other offerings are not the only things that delight you.
You have enabled me to understand that very well [IDI].
Animals burned on the altar and other offerings
are not all that you require for sins to be forgiven.
7 So I said to you, “Yahweh, here I am,
to do the things that have been written in the scroll that contains your laws,
things that you want me to do.”
8 O my God, I delight to do what you desire;
I keep your laws within my inner being.
9 Whenever all your people are gathered,
I have told them about how you save us.
Yahweh, you know that I have not refused to tell that to them.
10 And I have not kept within me the news that you always act justly/fairly;
when many of your people have gathered together to worship you in the temple,
I have told them that you are faithful to us and save us.
I have not concealed that you faithfully love us and act loyally toward us.
11 Yahweh, do not stop acting mercifully toward me.
Because you faithfully love me [PRS] and are loyal to me, always protect me.
12 I have many troubles; I cannot count them.
My sins are like a flood that has covered me [PRS, MET];
they are so many that I cannot see all of them.
The sins that I have committed are more than the hairs on my head.
I am very discouraged.
13 O Yahweh, please save me!
Come quickly to help me!
14 Humble those who are happy about my troubles, and cause them to be disgraced/ashamed.
Chase away those who are trying to get rid of me.
15 I hope/desire that those who make fun of me
will be dismayed when you defeat them.
16 But I hope that all those who go to worship you will be very joyful [DOU].
I hope/desire that those who love you because you saved them will shout repeatedly,
“Yahweh is great!”
17 As for me, I am poor and needy [DOU];
but I know that Yahweh has not forgotten me.
O my God, you are the one who saves and helps me,
so please come quickly and help me!