The Holy Bible – Knox Translation
The Book of Psalms
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Psalm 39
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1
(To the choir-master. Of David. A psalm.)
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Patiently I waited for the Lord’s help, and at last he turned his look towards me;
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he listened to my plea, drew me up out of a deadly pit, where the mire had settled deep, and gave me a foothold on the rock, with firm ground to tread.
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He has framed a new music on my lips, a song of praise to our God, to fill all that stand by with reverence, and with trust in the Lord.
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Happy is the man whose trust is there bestowed, who shuns the rites of strange gods, the lure of lies.
6
O Lord my God, how long is the story of thy marvellous deeds! Was ever care like thine? How should I tell the tale of those mercies, past all numbering?
7
No sacrifice, no offering was thy demand; enough that thou hast given me an ear ready to listen. Thou hast not found any pleasure in burnt-sacrifices, in sacrifices for sin.
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See then, I said, I am coming to fulfil what is written of me, where the book lies unrolled;
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to do thy will, O my God, is all my desire, to carry out that law of thine which is written in my heart.
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And I told the story of thy just dealings before a great throng; be witness, Lord, that I do not seal my lips.
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Thy just dealings are no secret hidden away in my heart; I boast of thy faithful protection, proclaim that mercy, that faithfulness of thine for all to hear it.

12
Lord, do not withhold thy pity from me; let thy mercy and faithfulness be now, as ever, my shield.
13
I am beset with evils past numbering, overtaken by my sins; they fill my prospect, countless as the hairs on my head; my courage fails me.
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Deign, Lord, to set me free; Lord, give heed and help.
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Disappointment and shame be theirs, who lay plots against my life; may they slink away covered with confusion, who now rejoice over my downfall.
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Joy, joy! is their cry; dumb-stricken let them stand, their hopes belied.
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Rejoicing and triumph for all the souls that look to thee; Praise to the Lord, will ever be their song, who now long for thy aid.
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I, so helpless, so destitute, and the Lord is concerned for me! Thou art my champion and my refuge; do not linger, my God, do not linger on the way.