Psalm 40

W. van der Kamp, 1972; rev.

1. I waited and I waited for the LORD.
   Then from the pit He lifted me,
   From clay and mire He set me free:
   The LORD bent down to me; my cry He heard.
   Upon a rock He brought me;
   I sing the song He taught me,
   A new song to His laud.
   Now many shall come near
   To see it and to fear,
   And put their trust in God.
   
2. Blest is the man who makes the LORD his trust,
   Who does not turn to men of pride,
   To those who in false gods confide,
   But clings to Him, our God so great and just.
   Thy mighty deeds so wondrous
   And all Thy thoughts toward us
   Thou, LORD, hast multiplied.
   None can with Thee compare,
   Nor all Thy works declare,
   Nor count them, though he tried.
   
3. No sacrifice didst Thou, O LORD, require;
   Thou gavest me an open ear.
   Then I said, “Lo, I now appear;
   To do Thy will, O God, is my desire.
   Take Thou my life and mould it.
   I come, the book foretold it;
   ‘Tis written in its roll.
   Thy will is my delight;
   I cherish day and night
   Thy law in heart and soul.”
   
4. Before the congregation I profess
   The love and truth Thou hast revealed;
   My lips, O LORD, I have not sealed;
   My heart did not conceal Thy righteousness.
   For everywhere I’ve spoken,
   Of faithfulness unbroken,
   Of blessings from above.
   The great assembly heard
   Of Thy trustworthy word
   And of Thy steadfast love.
   
5. Do not withhold Thy mercy and Thy grace;
   Preserve me by Thy steadfast love
   And let Thy truth, shown from above,
   Uphold me ever, LORD, before Thy face.
   For evils do surround me;
   My many misdeeds hound me
   Till I no more can see.
   My sins, I do confess,
   Are almost numberless;
   My heart is failing me.
   
6. O be Thou pleased, LORD, to deliver me!
   O LORD, come to my help, make haste!
   Let those be stricken and disgraced
   Who seek my life and have forgotten Thee.
   Let those, dismayed, desert me
   Who seek to harm and hurt me;
   May they forsaken be
   Because of their own shame.
   Dishonor Thou the name
   Of those who jeer at me!
   
7. May those who seek Thee in Thy love rejoice
   And may they all be glad in Thee.
   Yes, may they say continually,
   “Great is the LORD,” praise Him with heart and voice.
   I may be poor and needy,
   But yet my God will heed me;
   The LORD takes thought for me.
   Thou art my help and stay;
   My God do not delay.
   I put my trust in Thee!