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1I relied completely on the Lord ,[#tn Heb “relying, I relied.” The infinitive absolute precedes the finite verbal form to emphasize the verbal idea. The emphasis is reflected in the translation through the adverb “completely.” Another option is to translate, “I waited patiently” (cf. NASB, NIV, NRSV).]
and he turned toward me
and heard my cry for help.
2He lifted me out of the watery pit,[#tn Heb “cistern of roaring.” The Hebrew noun בּוֹר (bor, “cistern, pit”) is used metaphorically here of Sheol, the place of death, which is sometimes depicted as a raging sea (see Ps 18:4, 15-16). The noun שָׁאוֹן (sha’on, “roaring”) refers elsewhere to the crashing sound of the sea’s waves (see Ps 65:7).]
out of the slimy mud.
He placed my feet on a rock
and gave me secure footing.
3He gave me reason to sing a new song,[#sn A new song was appropriate because the Lord had intervened in the psalmist’s experience in a fresh and exciting way.]
praising our God.
May many see what God has done,
so that they might swear allegiance to him and trust in the Lord !
4How blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord[#tn The Hebrew noun is an abstract plural. The word often refers metonymically to the happiness that God-given security and prosperity produce (see Pss 1:1, 3; 2:12; 34:9; 41:1; 65:4; 84:12; 89:15; 106:3; 112:1; 127:5; 128:1; 144:15).; #tn Heb “man.” See the note on the word “one” in Ps 1:1.; #tn Heb “who has made the Lord his [object of] trust.”]
and does not seek help from the proud or from liars!
5O Lord , my God, you have accomplished many things;
you have done amazing things and carried out your purposes for us.
No one can thwart you!
I want to declare them and talk about them,
but they are too numerous to recount!
6Receiving sacrifices and offerings are not your primary concern.[#tn Heb “sacrifice and offering you do not desire.” The statement is exaggerated for the sake of emphasis (see Ps 51:16 as well). God is pleased with sacrifices, but his first priority is obedience and loyalty (see 1 Sam 15:22). Sacrifices and offerings apart from genuine allegiance are meaningless (see Isa 1:11-20).]
You make that quite clear to me!
You do not ask for burnt sacrifices and sin offerings.
7Then I say,
“Look! I come!
What is written in the scroll pertains to me.
8I want to do what pleases you, my God.[#tn Or “your will.”]
Your law dominates my thoughts.”
9I have told the great assembly about your justice.[#sn The great assembly is also mentioned in Pss 22:25 and 35:18.; #tn Heb “I proclaim justice in the great assembly.” Though “justice” appears without a pronoun here, the Lord’s just acts are in view (see v. 10). His “justice” (צֶדֶק, tsedeq) is here the deliverance that originates in his justice; he protects and vindicates the one whose cause is just.]
Look! I spare no words!
O Lord , you know this is true.
10I have not failed to tell about your justice;[#tn Heb “your justice I have not hidden in the midst of my heart.”]
I spoke about your reliability and deliverance;
I have not neglected to tell the great assembly about your loyal love and faithfulness.
11O Lord , you do not withhold your compassion from me.[#tn Some (cf. NIV, NRSV) translate the verb as a request (“do not withhold”), but elsewhere in the psalms the second masculine singular prefixed form, when addressed to God and preceded by לֹא (lo’), is always indicative in mood and never has the force of a prayer (see Pss 16:10; 22:2; 44:9 51:16-17; 60:10; 108:11; cf. NEB, NASB).]
May your loyal love and faithfulness continually protect me!
12For innumerable dangers surround me.[#tn Or “sinful deeds.” The Hebrew term used here can have a nonmoral nuance (“dangers”) or a moral one (“sinful deeds”) depending on the context. The next line (see “my sins”) seems to favor the moral sense, but the psalmist also speaks of enemies shortly after this (v. 14).]
My sins overtake me
so I am unable to see;
they outnumber the hairs of my head
so my strength fails me.
13Please be willing, O Lord , to rescue me!
O Lord , hurry and help me!
14May those who are trying to snatch away my life
be totally embarrassed and ashamed!
May those who want to harm me
be turned back and ashamed!
15May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!”
be humiliated and disgraced!
16May all those who seek you be happy and rejoice in you!
May those who love to experience your deliverance say continually,
“May the Lord be praised!”
17I am oppressed and needy![#sn See Pss 35:10; 37:14.]
May the Lord pay attention to me!
You are my helper and my deliverer!
O my God, do not delay!