Psalms 40 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.

I waited and waited for Yahweh, and he leaned down to me and heard my cry.

He pulled me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the thick mud. He set my feet on solid rock and made my steps sure.

He put a new song in my mouth — a song of praise to our God. Many will see it and stand in awe, and they will trust in Yahweh.

Life is good for the one who makes Yahweh their confidence, who doesn't look to the arrogant or to those who chase after lies.

Yahweh my God, you have done so many incredible things — your plans and wonders for us are beyond counting. If I tried to list them all, they would be more than I could ever tell.

Sacrifices and offerings were never what you wanted. You opened my ears to understand. Burnt offerings and guilt offerings — you never asked for those.

Then I said, "Here I am — in the scroll it is written about me — "

"I love doing what makes you happy, my God. Your instruction lives deep inside me."

I have told the great gathering the good news of your justice. Look — I have not held my lips shut. Yahweh, you know this.

I have not hidden your justice deep inside my heart. I have spoken of your faithfulness and your rescue. I have not concealed your loyal love and your truth from the great gathering.

Yahweh, do not hold back your compassion from me. Let your loyal love and your truth always guard me.

Troubles beyond number have closed in around me. My failures have caught up with me and I cannot see past them. They outnumber the hairs on my head, and my courage has left me.

Yahweh, please — come quickly and pull me out. Yahweh, hurry to help me.

Let everyone who wants to destroy me be thrown into confusion and shame together. Let those who take pleasure in my pain be driven back and humiliated.

Let those who mock me with "Ha! Ha!" be stopped cold by their own shame.

But let everyone who searches for you celebrate and be glad in you. Let those who love your rescue always say, "Yahweh is great beyond measure!"

As for me, I am poor and in need, but my Lord is thinking about me. You are my help and my way out. My God, please do not wait.