Psalms 40

• 1. I waited patiently for the LORD to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.
• 2. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.
• 3. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be astounded. They will put their trust in the LORD.
• 4. Oh, the joys of those who trust the LORD, who have no confidence in the proud, or in those who worship idols.
• 5. O LORD my God, you have done many miracles for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them.
• 6. You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings. Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand--you don't require burnt offerings or sin offerings.
• 7. Then I said, "Look, I have come. And this has been written about me in your scroll:
• 8. I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your law is written on my heart."
• 9. I have told all your people about your justice. I have not been afraid to speak out, as you, O LORD, well know.
• 10. I have not kept this good news hidden in my heart; I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power. I have told everyone in the great assembly of your unfailing love and faithfulness.
• 11. LORD, don't hold back your tender mercies from me. My only hope is in your unfailing love and faithfulness.
• 12. For troubles surround me--too many to count! They pile up so high I can't see my way out. They are more numerous than the hairs on my head. I have lost all my courage.
• 13. Please, LORD, rescue me! Come quickly, LORD, and help me.
• 14. May those who try to destroy me be humiliated and put to shame. May those who take delight in my trouble be turned back in disgrace.
• 15. Let them be horrified by their shame, for they said, "Aha! We've got him now!"
• 16. But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, "The LORD is great!"
• 17. As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord is thinking about me right now. You are my helper and my savior. Do not delay, O my God.

Psalms 41

• 1. Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor. The LORD rescues them in times of trouble.
• 2. The LORD protects them and keeps them alive. He gives them prosperity and rescues them from their enemies.
• 3. The LORD nurses them when they are sick and eases their pain and discomfort.
• 4. "O LORD," I prayed, "have mercy on me. Heal me, for I have sinned against you."
• 5. But my enemies say nothing but evil about me. "How soon will he die and be forgotten?" they ask.
• 6. They visit me as if they are my friends, but all the while they gather gossip, and when they leave, they spread it everywhere.
• 7. All who hate me whisper about me, imagining the worst for me.
• 8. "Whatever he has, it is fatal," they say. "He will never get out of that bed!"
• 9. Even my best friend, the one I trusted completely, the one who shared my food, has turned against me.
• 10. LORD, have mercy on me. Make me well again, so I can pay them back!
• 11. I know that you are pleased with me, for you have not let my enemy triumph over me.
• 12. You have preserved my life because I am innocent; you have brought me into your presence forever.
• 13. Bless the LORD, the God of Israel, who lives forever from eternal ages past. Amen and amen!

Psalms 42

• 1. As the deer pants for streams of water, so I long for you, O God.
• 2. I thirst for God, the living God. When can I come and stand before him?
• 3. Day and night, I have only tears for food, while my enemies continually taunt me, saying, "Where is this God of yours?"
• 4. My heart is breaking as I remember how it used to be: I walked among the crowds of worshipers, leading a great procession to the house of God, singing for joy and giving thanks--it was the sound of a great celebration!
• 5. Why am I discouraged? Why so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again--my Savior and
• 6. my God! Now I am deeply discouraged, but I will remember your kindness--from Mount Hermon, the source of the Jordan, from the land of Mount Mizar.
• 7. I hear the tumult of the raging seas as your waves and surging tides sweep over me.
• 8. Through each day the LORD pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life.
• 9. "O God my rock," I cry, "Why have you forsaken me? Why must I wander in darkness, oppressed by my enemies?"
• 10. Their taunts pierce me like a fatal wound. They scoff, "Where is this God of yours?"
• 11. Why am I discouraged? Why so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again--my Savior and my God!

New Living Translation: 180 of 324 days.