Psalm 40

Refrain:    Great are the wonders you have done, O Lord my God.

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. [R]

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. [R]

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. [R]

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.

Refrain:    Great are the wonders you have done, O Lord my God.

Free us from our sins, O God,

and may our sacrifices be of praise

to the glory of your Son,

our Redeemer, Jesus Christ.

 

Common Worship: Daily Prayer, material from which is included here,
is copyright © The Archbishops' Council 2005 and published by Church House Publishing.

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