Waiting for the King | Psalms of Advent #3

Psalm 40:1-17 ESV

My Help and My Deliverer

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

[1] I waited patiently for the LORD;

he inclined to me and heard my cry.

[2] He drew me up from the pit of destruction,

out of the miry bog,

and set my feet upon a rock,

making my steps secure.

[3] He 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.

[4] Blessed is the man who makes

the LORD his trust,

who does not turn to the proud,

to those who go astray after a lie!

[5] You have multiplied, O LORD my God,

your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;

none can compare with you!

I will proclaim and tell of them,

yet they are more than can be told.

[6] In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted,

but you have given me an open ear.

Burnt offering and sin offering

you have not required.

[7] Then I said, “Behold, I have come;

in the scroll of the book it is written of me:

[8] I delight to do your will, O my God;

your law is within my heart.”

[9] I have told the glad news of deliverance

in the great congregation;

behold, I have not restrained my lips,

as you know, O LORD.

[10] I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart;

I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;

I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness

from the great congregation.

[11] As for you, O LORD, you will not restrain

your mercy from me;

your steadfast love and your faithfulness will

ever preserve me!

[12] For evils have encompassed me

beyond number;

my iniquities have overtaken me,

and I cannot see;

they are more than the hairs of my head;

my heart fails me.

[13] Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me!

O LORD, make haste to help me!

[14] Let those be put to shame and disappointed altogether

who seek to snatch away my life;

let those be turned back and brought to dishonor

who delight in my hurt!

[15] Let those be appalled because of their shame

who say to me, “Aha, Aha!”

[16] But may all who seek you

rejoice and be glad in you;

may those who love your salvation

say continually, “Great is the LORD!”

[17] As for me, I am poor and needy,

but the Lord takes thought for me.

You are my help and my deliverer;

do not delay, O my God!