Psalms Chapter 39

Expectans expectavi.

Christ's coming, and redeeming mankind.

39:1. Unto the end, a psalm for David himself.

39:2. With expectation I have waited for the Lord, and he was attentive to me.

39:3. And he heard my prayers, and brought me out of the pit of misery and the mire of dregs. And he set my feet upon a rock, and directed my steps.

39:4. And he put a new canticle into my mouth, a song to our God. Many shall see, and shall fear: and they shall hope in the Lord.

39:5. Blessed is the man whose trust is in the name of the Lord; and who hath not had regard to vanities, and lying follies.

39:6. Thou hast multiplied thy wonderful works, O Lord my God: and in thy thoughts there is no one like to thee. I have declared and I have spoken they are multiplied above number.

39:7. Sacrifice and oblation thou didst not desire; but thou hast pierced ears for me. Burnt offering and sin offering thou didst not require:

39:8. Then said I, Behold I come. In the head of the book it is written of me

39:9. That I should do thy will: O my God, I have desired it, and thy law in the midst of my heart.

39:10. I have declared thy justice in a great church, lo, I will not restrain my lips: O Lord, thou knowest it.

39:11. I have not hid thy justice within my heart: I have declared thy truth and thy salvation. I have not concealed thy mercy and thy truth from a great council.

39:12. Withhold not thou, O Lord, thy tender mercies from me: thy mercy and thy truth have always upheld me.

39:13. For evils without number have surrounded me; my iniquities have overtaken me, and I was not able to see. They are multiplied above the hairs of my head: and my heart hath forsaken me.

My iniquities. . .That is, the sins of all mankind, which I have taken upon me.

39:14. Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me. look down, O Lord, to help me.

39:15. Let them be confounded and ashamed together, that seek after my soul to take it away. Let them be turned backward and be ashamed that desire evils to me.

39:16. Let them immediately bear their confusion, that say to me: 'T is well, t' is well.

'T is well. . .The Hebrew here is an interjection of insult and derision, like the Vah. Matt. 27.49.

39:17. Let all that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say always: The Lord be magnified.

39:18. But I am a beggar and poor: the Lord is careful for me. Thou art my helper and my protector: O my God, be not slack.