Psalms 40; Psalms 41; Psalms 42

1 I waited patiently for the Lord's help; then he listened to me and heard my cry.

2 He pulled me out of a dangerous pit, out of the deadly quicksand. He set me safely on a rock and made me secure.

3 He taught me to sing a new song, a song of praise to our God. Many who see this will take warning and will put their trust in the Lord.

4 Happy are those who trust the Lord, who do not turn to idols or join those who worship false gods.

5 You have done many things for us, O Lord our God; there is no one like you! You have made many wonderful plans for us. I could never speak of them all - their number is so great!

6 You do not want sacrifices and offerings; you do not ask for animals burned whole on the altar or for sacrifices to take away sins. Instead, you have given me ears to hear you,

7 and so I answered, "Here I am; your instructions for me are in the book of the Law.

8 How I love to do your will, my God! I keep your teaching in my heart."

9 In the assembly of all your people, Lord, I told the good news that you save us. You know that I will never stop telling it.

10 I have not kept the news of salvation to myself; I have always spoken of your faithfulness and help. In the assembly of all your people I have not been silent about your loyalty and constant love.

11 Lord, I know you will never stop being merciful to me. Your love and loyalty will always keep me safe.

12 I am surrounded by many troubles - too many to count! My sins have caught up with me, and I can no longer see; they are more than the hairs of my head, and I have lost my courage.

13 Save me, Lord! Help me now!

14 May those who try to kill me be completely defeated and confused. May those who are happy because of my troubles be turned back and disgraced.

15 May those who make fun of me be dismayed by their defeat.

16 May all who come to you be glad and joyful. May all who are thankful for your salvation always say, "How great is the Lord!"

17 I am weak and poor, O Lord, but you have not forgotten me. You are my savior and my God - hurry to my aid!

1 Happy are those who are concerned for the poor; the Lord will help them when they are in trouble.

2 The Lord will protect them and preserve their lives; he will make them happy in the land; he will not abandon them to the power of their enemies.

3 The Lord will help them when they are sick and will restore them to health.

4 I said, "I have sinned against you, Lord; be merciful to me and heal me."

5 My enemies say cruel things about me. They want me to die and be forgotten.

6 Those who come to see me are not sincere; they gather bad news about me and then go out and tell it everywhere.

7 All who hate me whisper to each other about me, they imagine the worst about me.

8 They say, "He is fatally ill; he will never leave his bed again."

9 Even my best friend, the one I trusted most, the one who shared my food, has turned against me.

10 Be merciful to me, Lord, and restore my health, and I will pay my enemies back.

11 They will not triumph over me, and I will know that you are pleased with me.

12 You will help me, because I do what is right; you will keep me in your presence forever.

13 Praise the Lord, the God of Israel! Praise him now and forever! Amen! Amen!

1 As a deer longs for a stream of cool water, so I long for you, O God.

2 I thirst for you, the living God. When can I go and worship in your presence?

3 Day and night I cry, and tears are my only food; all the time my enemies ask me, "Where is your God?"

4 My heart breaks when I remember the past, when I went with the crowds to the house of God and led them as they walked along, a happy crowd, singing and shouting praise to God.

5 Why am I so sad? Why am I so troubled? I will put my hope in God, and once again I will praise him, my savior and my God.

6 Here in exile my heart is breaking, and so I turn my thoughts to him. He has sent waves of sorrow over my soul; chaos roars at me like a flood, like waterfalls thundering down to the Jordan from Mount Hermon and Mount Mizar.

8 May the Lord show his constant love during the day, so that I may have a song at night, a prayer to the God of my life.

9 To God, my defender, I say, "Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go on suffering from the cruelty of my enemies?"

10 I am crushed by their insults, as they keep on asking me, "Where is your God?"

11 Why am I so sad? Why am I so troubled? I will put my hope in God, and once again I will praise him, my savior and my God.