1 I waited patiently and expectantly for the Lord; and He inclined to me and heard my cry.

2 H e drew me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay (froth and slime), and set my feet upon a rock, steadying my steps and establishing my goings.

3 A nd He has put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many shall see and fear (revere and worship) and put their trust and confident reliance in the Lord.

4 B lessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who makes the Lord his refuge and trust, and turns not to the proud or to followers of false gods.

5 M any, O Lord my God, are the wonderful works which You have done, and Your thoughts toward us; no one can compare with You! If I should declare and speak of them, they are too many to be numbered.

6 S acrifice and offering You do not desire, nor have You delight in them; You have given me the capacity to hear and obey burnt offerings and sin offerings You do not require.

7 T hen said I, Behold, I come; in the volume of the book it is written of me;

8 I delight to do Your will, O my God; yes, Your law is within my heart.

9 I have proclaimed glad tidings of righteousness in the great assembly. Behold, I have not restrained my lips, as You know, O Lord.

10 I have not concealed Your righteousness within my heart; I have proclaimed Your faithfulness and Your salvation. I have not hid away Your steadfast love and Your truth from the great assembly.

11 W ithhold not Your tender mercy from me, O Lord; let Your loving-kindness and Your truth continually preserve me!

12 F or innumerable evils have compassed me about; my iniquities have taken such hold on me that I am not able to look up. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart has failed me and forsaken me.

13 B e pleased, O Lord, to deliver me; O Lord, make haste to help me!

14 L et them be put to shame and confounded together who seek and require my life to destroy it; let them be driven backward and brought to dishonor who wish me evil and delight in my hurt!

15 L et them be desolate by reason of their shame who say to me, Aha, aha!

16 L et all those that seek and require You rejoice and be glad in You; let such as love Your salvation say continually, The Lord be magnified!

17 I am poor and needy, yet the Lord takes thought and plans for me. You are my Help and my Deliverer. O my God, do not tarry!