Thanksgiving and a Cry for Help

For the choir director. A Davidic psalm.

1I waited patiently for the LORD,

and He turned to me and heard my cry for help.a

2He brought me up from a desolateb pit,

out of the muddy clay,c

and set my feet on a rock,

making my steps secure.d

3He put a new song in my mouth,

a hymn of praise to our God.e

Many will see and fear

and put their trust in the LORD.f

4How happy is the man

who has put his trust in the LORD

and has not turned to the proud

or to those who run after lies!g

5LORD my God, You have done many things —

Your wonderful works and Your plans for us;

none can compare with You.

If I were to report and speak of them,

they are more than can be told.h

6You do not delight in sacrifice and offering;

You open my ears to listen.i

You do not ask for a whole •burnt offering or a •sin offering.j

7Then I said, “See, I have come;

it is written about me in the volume of the scroll.k

8I delight to do Your will, my God;l

Your instruction lives within me.”m, n

9I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly;

see, I do not keep my mouth closedo —

as You know, LORD.p

10I did not hide Your righteousness in my heart;

I spoke about Your faithfulness and salvation;

I did not conceal Your constant love and truth

from the great assembly.q

11LORD, do not withhold Your compassion from me;

Your constant love and truth will always guard me.r

12For troubles without number have surrounded me;

my sins have overtaken me; I am unable to see.

They are more than the hairs of my head,

and my courage leaves me.s

13LORD, be pleased to deliver me;

hurry to help me, LORD.t

14Let those who seek to take my life

be disgraced and confounded.

Let those who wish me harm

be driven back and humiliated.u

15Let those who say to me, “Aha, aha! ”

be horrified because of their shame.v

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

let those who love Your salvation continually say,

“The LORD is great! ”w

17I am afflicted and needy;

the Lord thinks of me.

You are my helper and my deliverer;

my God, do not delay.x