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Psalm 40: Expectans, expectavi

Book of Common Prayer (1979), page 640. In the 30-day Psalter it is read on day 8, at Morning Prayer.

1

I waited patiently upon the LORD; *

he stooped to me and heard my cry.

2

He lifted me out of the desolate pit, out of the mire and clay; *

he set my feet upon a high cliff and made my footing sure.

3

He put a new song in my mouth,

a song of praise to our God; *

many shall see, and stand in awe,

and put their trust in the LORD.

4

Happy are they who trust in the LORD! *

they do not resort to evil spirits or turn to false gods.

5

Great things are they that you have done, O LORD my God!

how great your wonders and your plans for us! *

there is none who can be compared with you.

6

Oh, that I could make them known and tell them! *

but they are more than I can count.

7

In sacrifice and offering you take no pleasure *

(you have given me ears to hear you);

8

Burnt-offering and sin-offering you have not required, *

and so I said, "Behold, I come.

9

In the roll of the book it is written concerning me: *

'I love to do your will, O my God;

your law is deep in my heart.'"

10

I proclaimed righteousness in the great congregation; *

behold, I did not restrain my lips;

and that, O LORD, you know.

11

Your righteousness have I not hidden in my heart;

I have spoken of your faithfulness and your deliverance; *

I have not concealed your love and faithfulness from the great congregation.

12

You are the LORD;

do not withhold your compassion from me; *

let your love and your faithfulness keep me safe for ever,

13

For innumerable troubles have crowded upon me;

my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see; *

they are more in number than the hairs of my head,

and my heart fails me.

14

Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me; *

O LORD, make haste to help me.

15

Let them be ashamed and altogether dismayed

who seek after my life to destroy it; *

let them draw back and be disgraced

who take pleasure in my misfortune.

16

Let those who say "Aha!" and gloat over me be confounded, *

because they are ashamed.

17

Let all who seek you rejoice in you and be glad; *

let those who love your salvation continually say,

Great is the LORD!"

18

Though I am poor and afflicted, *

the Lord will have regard for me.

19

You are my helper and my deliverer; *

do not tarry, O my God.

When it is appointed