New Revised Standard NRS
The Message Bible MSG
1 I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry.
1
I waited and waited and waited for God. At last he looked; finally he listened.
2 He drew me up from the desolate pit, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.
2
He lifted me out of the ditch, pulled me from deep mud. He stood me up on a solid rock to make sure I wouldn't slip.
3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.
3
He taught me how to sing the latest God-song, a praise-song to our God. More and more people are seeing this: they enter the mystery, abandoning themselves to God.
4 Happy are those who make the Lord their trust, who do not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after false gods.
4
Blessed are you who give yourselves over to God, turn your backs on the world's "sure thing," ignore what the world worships;
5 You have multiplied, O Lord my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you. Were I to proclaim and tell of them, they would be more than can be counted.
5
The world's a huge stockpile of God-wonders and God-thoughts. Nothing and no one comes close to you! I start talking about you, telling what I know, and quickly run out of words. Neither numbers nor words account for you.
6 Sacrifice and offering you do not desire, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required.
6
Doing something for you, bringing something to you - that's not what you're after. Being religious, acting pious - that's not what you're asking for. You've opened my ears so I can listen.
7 Then I said, "Here I am; in the scroll of the book it is written of me.
7
So I answered, "I'm coming. I read in your letter what you wrote about me,
8 I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart."
8
And I'm coming to the party you're throwing for me." That's when God's Word entered my life, became part of my very being.
9 I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; see, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O Lord.
9
I've preached you to the whole congregation, I've kept back nothing, God - you know that.
10 I have not hidden your saving help within my heart, I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation.
10
I didn't keep the news of your ways a secret, didn't keep it to myself. I told it all, how dependable you are, how thorough. I didn't hold back pieces of love and truth For myself alone. I told it all, let the congregation know the whole story.
11 Do not, O Lord, withhold your mercy from me; let your steadfast love and your faithfulness keep me safe forever.
11
Now God, don't hold out on me, don't hold back your passion. Your love and truth are all that keeps me together.
12 For evils have encompassed me without number; my iniquities have overtaken me, until I cannot see; they are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails me.
12
When troubles ganged up on me, a mob of sins past counting, I was so swamped by guilt I couldn't see my way clear. More guilt in my heart than hair on my head, so heavy the guilt that my heart gave out.
13 Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me; O Lord, make haste to help me.
13
Soften up, God, and intervene; hurry and get me some help,
14 Let all those be put to shame and confusion who seek to snatch away my life; let those be turned back and brought to dishonor who desire my hurt.
14
So those who are trying to kidnap my soul will be embarrassed and lose face, So anyone who gets a kick out of making me miserable will be heckled and disgraced,
15 Let those be appalled because of their shame who say to me, "Aha, Aha!"
15
So those who pray for my ruin will be booed and jeered without mercy.
16 But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, "Great is the Lord!"
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But all who are hunting for you - oh, let them sing and be happy. Let those who know what you're all about tell the world you're great and not quitting.
17 As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God.
17
And me? I'm a mess. I'm nothing and have nothing: make something of me. You can do it; you've got what it takes - but God, don't put it off.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.