Psalm 40 J. H.
Words: Sternhold and Hopkins, The Whole Book of Psalms Collected into English Metre
1 I waited long and sought the Lord,
and patiently did bear;
At length he did to me accord
my voice and cry to hear.
2 He brought me from the dreadful pit,
out of the mire and clay:
Upon a rock he set my feet,
and he did guide my way.
3 To me he taught a psalm of praise,
which I must shew abroad,
And sing new songs of thanks always
unto the Lord our God.
4 When all the folk these things shall see,
as people much afraid,
Then they unto the Lord will flee,
and trust upon his aid.
5 Blessèd is he whose hope and heart
doth in the Lord remain,
That with the proud doth take no part,
nor such as lies maintain.
6 For, Lord my God, thy wond'rous deeds
in greatness far do pass:
Thy favor to-wards us exceeds
all things that ever was.
7 When I intend and do devise
thy works abroad to show,
To such a reck'ning they do rise,
thereof no end I know.
8 Burnt off'rings thou delight'st not in,
I know thy whole desire;
With sacrifice to purge his sin,
thou dost no man require.
9 Meat offerings and sacrifice
thou would'st not have at all;
But thou, O Lord, hast open made
my ears to hear withal.
10 But then, said I, behold, and look,
I come with heart most free;
For in the volume of the book
Thus it is said of me;
11 That I, O God, should do thy mind
which thing doth please me well;
For in my heart thy law I find
fast placèd there to dwell.
12 Thy righteousness and justice I
in great assemblies tell;
Behold, my tongue no time doth cease,
O Lord, thou knowest well.
The Second Part
13 I have not hid within my breast
thy goodness as by stealth;
But I declare and have expressed
thy truth and saving health.
14 I kept not close thy loving mind,
that no man it should know;
The trust that in thy truth I find,
to all the church I show.
15 Thy tender mercy, Lord, for me
withdraw thou not away;
But let thy love and verity
preserve me night and day.
16 For I with many troubles am
encompassèd about
My sins so greatly do increase,
I cannot spy them out.
17 For why? In number they exceed
the hairs upon my head;
My heart doth faint for very fear,
that I am almost dead.
18 With speed send help, and set me free,
O Lord, I thee require;
Make haste with aid to succor me,
O Lord, at my desire.
19 Confound them with rebuke and shame,
that seek my soul to spill;
Drive back my foes, and them defame
that wish me any ill.
20 For their ill feats do them descry,
that would deface my name;
Always at me they rail and cry,
"Fie on him, fie for shame."
21 Let them in thee have joy and wealth,
that seek to thee always;
That those that love thy saving health
may say, To God be praise!
22 But as for me, I am but poor,
oppressed, and brought full low;
Yet thou, O Lord, wilt me restore
to health full well I know.
23 For why? Thou art my hope and trust,
my refuge, help and stay;
Wherefore, my God, as thou art just,
with me no time delay.
