God Sustains His Servant.

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

1I waited patiently and expectantly for the LORD;

And He inclined to me and heard my cry.

2He brought me up out of a horrible pit [of tumult and of destruction], out of the miry clay,

And He set my feet upon a rock, steadying my footsteps and establishing my path.

3He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God;

Many will see and fear [with great reverence]

And will trust confidently in the LORD.

4Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who makes the LORD his trust,

And does not regard the proud nor those who lapse into lies.

5Many, O LORD my God, are the wonderful works which You have done,

And Your thoughts toward us;

There is none to compare with You.

If I would declare and speak of your wonders,

They would be too many to count.

6Sacrifice and meal offering You do not desire, nor do You delight in them;

You have opened my ears and given me the capacity to hear [and obey Your word];

Burnt offerings and sin offerings You do not require.

7Then I said, “Behold, I come [to the throne];

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.”

9I have proclaimed good news of righteousness [and the joy that comes from obedience to You] in the great assembly;

Behold, I will not restrain my lips [from proclaiming Your righteousness],

As You know, O LORD.

10I have not concealed Your righteousness within my heart;

I have proclaimed Your faithfulness and Your salvation.

I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth from the great assembly.

11Do not withhold Your compassion and tender mercy from me, O LORD;

Your lovingkindness and Your truth will continually preserve me.

12For innumerable evils have encompassed me;

My sins have overtaken me, so that I am not able to see.

They are more numerous than the hairs of my head,

And my heart has failed me.

13Be pleased, O LORD, to save me;

O LORD, make haste to help me.

14Let those be ashamed and humiliated together

Who seek my life to destroy it;

Let those be turned back [in defeat] and dishonored

Who delight in my hurt.

15Let those be appalled and desolate because of their shame

Who say to me, “Aha, aha [rejoicing in my misfortune]!”

16Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You;

Let those who love Your salvation say continually,

“The LORD be magnified!”

17Even though I am afflicted and needy,

Still the Lord takes thought and is mindful of me.

You are my help and my rescuer.

O my God, do not delay.