1 I waited patiently for the Lord; ♦
he inclined to me and heard my cry.
2 He brought me out of the roaring pit,
out of the mire and clay; ♦
he set my feet upon a rock and made my footing sure.
3 He has put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God; ♦
many shall see and fear
and put their trust in the Lord.
4 Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, ♦
who does not turn to the proud that follow a lie.
5 Great are the wonders you have done, O Lord my God.
How great your designs for us! ♦
There is none that can be compared with you.
6 If I were to proclaim them and tell of them ♦
they would be more than I am able to express.
7 Sacrifice and offering you do not desire ♦
but my ears you have opened;
8 Burnt offering and sacrifice for sin you have not required; ♦
then said I: ‘Lo, I come.
9 ‘In the scroll of the book it is written of me
that I should do your will, O my God; ♦
I delight to do it: your law is within my heart.’
10 I have declared your righteousness in the great congregation; ♦
behold, I did not restrain my lips,
and that, O Lord, you know.
11 Your righteousness I have not hidden in my heart;
I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; ♦
I have not concealed your loving-kindness and truth
from the great congregation.
12 Do not withhold your compassion from me, O Lord; ♦
let your love and your faithfulness always preserve me,
13 For innumerable troubles have come about me;
my sins have overtaken me so that I cannot look up; ♦
they are more in number than the hairs of my head,
and my heart fails me.
14 Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me; ♦
O Lord, make haste to help me.
15 Let them be ashamed and altogether dismayed
who seek after my life to destroy it; ♦
let them be driven back and put to shame
who wish me evil.
16 Let those who heap insults upon me ♦
be desolate because of their shame.
17 Let all who seek you rejoice in you and be glad; ♦
let those who love your salvation say always,
‘The Lord is great.’
18 Though I am poor and needy, ♦
the Lord cares for me.
19 You are my helper and my deliverer; ♦
O my God, make no delay.
Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England, material from which is included here,
is copyright © The Archbishops' Council 2000 and published by Church House Publishing.
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