Psalm 40

Expectans, expectavi

I waited patiently upon the Lord; *

he stooped to me and heard my cry.

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.

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.

Happy are they who trust in the Lord! *

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

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.

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

but they are more than I can count.

In sacrifice and offering you take no pleasure *

(you have given me ears to hear you);

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

and so I said, “Behold, I come.

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.’ ”

I proclaimed righteousness in the great congregation; *

behold, I did not restrain my lips;

and that, O Lord, you know.

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.

You are the Lord;

do not withhold your compassion from me; *

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

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.

Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me; *

O Lord, make haste to help me.

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.

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

because they are ashamed.

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

let those who love your salvation continually say,

“Great is the Lord!”

Though I am poor and afflicted, *

the Lord will have regard for me.

You are my helper and my deliverer; *

do not tarry, O my God.

Psalm 54

Deus, in nomine

Save me, O God, by your Name; *

in your might, defend my cause.

Hear my prayer, O God; *

give ear to the words of my mouth.

For the arrogant have risen up against me,

and the ruthless have sought my life, *

those who have no regard for God.

Behold, God is my helper; *

it is the Lord who sustains my life.

Render evil to those who spy on me; *

in your faithfulness, destroy them.

I will offer you a freewill sacrifice *

and praise your Name, O Lord, for it is good.

For you have rescued me from every trouble, *

and my eye has seen the ruin of my foes.