Psalm 40
This is my translation of Psalm 40; it’s a song, obviously, and I’ll put the sheet music below for anyone musical who’d like to play it, feel free to use it in worship etc. Believing that the New Testament usage of Joel’s verse, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord (Yahweh) will be saved,” allows me to apply those sections in the Old Testament to the name of Jesus, I translated “Yahweh” as “Jesus”. You may translate the Name back if you wish!
It’s very much a desperate plea of King David for help.
Note it says Copyright 2023 at the bottom, but that’s just the Finale template I’m using; I certainly wrote the tune before that, but if you’re using the song for Christian, not-for-profit purposes, such as worship, evangelism, etc, I’m very happy to waive the copyright.
I used qbible.com (a great resource, with parallel Hebrew/transliteration/English) and the Open English Bible as resources for this version of the Psalm.
PSALM 40
I waited patiently
Till Jesus bent his ear to me
From the quagmire, drew me out set my feet
Upon a rock
Making my steps
Firm as can be
He put a new song in my mouth
A song of praise to our God
He put a new song in my mouth
A song of praise to our God
Many shall see and fear
And will put their trust in Jesus
Blessed the warrior
Who puts his trust in Jesus
Not looking to the proud
Nor those who sidestep to lies
Many my Lord and God are the works you’ve done
So wonderf’lly
And all thy thoughts
To us-ward are
Beyond all reckoning
I’d tell them, uncountable
Sacrifice and offering you did not desire
My ears you opened burnt offering for sin
You did not require
Then I said lo here I come
It’s writ of me in your book!
That I delight to do your will
O God, your law’s in my heart
Your righteousness I proclaimed
In your abundant congregation
Do not withhold from me
Your tender mercies Jesus
Let your mercy and your truth
Preserve me continually
For evils innum’rable have encompassed me
My iniquities
Have a hold on me
I cannot look up
More than the hairs on my head
Therefore my heart fails me
Jesus please deliver me Jesus help me quick
Let them be ashamed and perplexed who seek my soul!
Those who wish me evil, let them be driven back!
Those who cheer my downfall, dumbfound them in their shame!
But may all who seek you rejoice
Let them be glad in thee!
May all those eager for your aid
Say Jesus is great evermore
For I am weak
And in need
Yet the Lord is thinking on me
You are my help and my
Deliverer my God
Do not delay my God.