Read the Bible

¹ I patiently waited, Lord,
    for you to hear my prayer.
You listened ² and pulled me
from a lonely pit
    full of mud and mire.
You let me stand on a rock
    with my feet firm,
³ and you gave me a new song,
    a song of praise to you.
Many will see this,
and they will honor
    and trust
    you, the Lord God.

⁴ You bless all of those
    who trust you, Lord,
    and refuse to worship idols
    or follow false gods.
⁵ You, Lord God, have done
    many wonderful things,
and you have planned
    marvelous things for us.
    No one is like you!
I would never be able to tell
    all you have done.

⁶ Sacrifices and offerings
    are not what please you;
    gifts and payment for sin
    are not what you demand.
But you made me willing
    to listen and obey.
⁷ And so, I said, "I am here
    to do what is written
    about me in the book,
    where it says,
⁸ 'I enjoy pleasing you.
    Your Law is in my heart.'"

⁹ When your people worshiped,
you know I told them,
    "Our Lord always helps!"
¹⁰ When all your people met,
    I did not keep silent.
I said, "Our Lord is kind.
    He is faithful and caring,
    and he saves us."

¹¹ You, Lord, never fail
    to have pity on me;
    your love and faithfulness
    always keep me secure.

¹² I have more troubles
    than I can count.
My sins are all around me,
    and I can't find my way.
My sins outnumber
the hairs on my head,
    and I feel weak.
¹³ Please show that you care
and come to my rescue.
    Hurry and help me!

¹⁴ Disappoint and confuse
    all who want me dead;
    turn away and disgrace
    all who want to hurt me.
¹⁵ Embarrass and shame
all of those who say,
    "Just look at you now!"

¹⁶ Our Lord, let your worshipers
    rejoice and be glad.
They love you for saving them,
so let them always say,
    "The Lord is wonderful!"

¹⁷ I am poor and needy,
but, Lord God,
    you care about me,
and you come to my rescue.
    Please hurry and help.