Psalms Chapter 40 – Obedience the best sacrifice. (To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.)

1 I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

 

2 He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my doings.

 

3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God; many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.

 

4 Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

 

5 Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward; they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee; if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.

 

6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened; burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.

 

7 Then said I, Lo, I come; in the volume of the book it is written of me.

 

8 I delight to do thy will, O my God; yea, thy law is within my heart.

 

9 I have preached righteousness in the great congregation; lo, I have not refrained my lips, O Lord, thou knowest.

 

10 I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation; I have not concealed thy loving-kindness and thy truth from the great congregation.

 

11 Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O Lord; let thy loving-kindness and thy truth continually preserve me.

 

12 For innumerable evils have compassed me about; mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head; therefore my heart faileth me.

 

13 Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me; O Lord, make haste to help me.

 

14 Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.

 

15 Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha.

 

16 Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee; let such as love thy salvation say continually, The Lord be magnified.

 

17 But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me; thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.