Psalm 40:1-17
A Litany
Readers: A and C are men; B and D are women
A: I waited patiently for the LORD to help me.
Men: He turned to me.
Women: He heard my cry.
B: He lifted me out of the pit of despair.
C: He lifted me out of the mud and the mire.
B: He set my feet on solid ground.
C: He steadied me as I walked along.
All: He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God.
D: Many will see what he has done.
B & D: They will be astounded.
A & C: They will put their trust in the LORD.
ABCD: Oh, the joys of those who trust the LORD,
C: who have no confidence in the proud,
D: or in those who worship idols.
All: O LORD my God, you have done many miracles for us.
A: Your plans for us are too numerous to list.
B: If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them.
C: You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings.
D: Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand—you don’t require burnt offerings or sin offerings.
Men: Then I said, “Look, I have come. And this has been written about me in your scroll:
Women: I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your law is written on my heart.”
A: I have told all your people about your justice.
C: I have not been afraid to speak out, as you, O LORD, well know.
A: I have not kept this good news hidden in my heart;
C: I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power.
A: I have told everyone in the great assembly of your unfailing love and faithfulness.
Men: LORD, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me.
Women: My only hope is in your unfailing love and faithfulness.
D: For troubles surround me—too many to count!
B: They pile up so high I can’t see my way out.
D: They are more numerous than the hairs on my head.
B: I have lost all my courage.
All: Please, LORD, rescue me!
A: Come quickly, LORD, and help me.
B: May those who try to destroy me be humiliated and put to shame.
C: May those who take delight in my trouble be turned back in disgrace.
D: Let them be horrified by their shame, for they said, “Aha! We’ve got him now!”
Women: But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness.
Men: May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout,
All: “The LORD is great!”
B: As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord is thinking about me right now.
D: You are my helper and my savior.
All: Do not delay, O my God.
Curtain
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Leaping Off the Page: Any Time of the Year Edition Page 21
