1: I waited and waited and waited for GOD. At last he looked; finally he listened.
2: He lifted me out of the ditch, pulled me from deep mud. He stood me up on a solid rock to make sure I wouldn't slip.
3: He taught me how to sing the latest God--song, a praise--song to our God. More and more people are seeing this: they enter the mystery, abandoning themselves to GOD.
4: Blessed are you who give yourselves over to GOD, turn your backs on the world's "sure thing," ignore what the world worships;
5: The world's a huge stockpile of GOD-wonders and God--thoughts. Nothing and no one comes close to you! I start talking about you, telling what I know, and quickly run out of words. Neither numbers nor words account for you.
6: Doing something for you, bringing something to you--that's not what you're after. Being religious, acting pious--that's not what you're asking for. You've opened my ears so I can listen.
7: So I answered, "I'm coming. I read in your letter what you wrote about me,
8: And I'm coming to the party you're throwing for me." That's when God's Word entered my life, became part of my very being.
9: I've preached you to the whole congregation, I've kept back nothing, GOD-you know that.
10: I didn't keep the news of your ways a secret, didn't keep it to myself. I told it all, how dependable you are, how thorough. I didn't hold back pieces of love and truth For myself alone. I told it all, let the congregation know the whole story.
11: Now GOD, don't hold out on me, don't hold back your passion. Your love and truth are all that keeps me together.
12: When troubles ganged up on me, a mob of sins past counting, I was so swamped by guilt I couldn't see my way clear. More guilt in my heart than hair on my head, so heavy the guilt that my heart gave out.
13: Soften up, GOD, and intervene; hurry and get me some help,
14: So those who are trying to kidnap my soul will be embarrassed and lose face, So anyone who gets a kick out of making me miserable will be heckled and disgraced,
15: So those who pray for my ruin will be booed and jeered without mercy.
16: But all who are hunting for you--oh, let them sing and be happy. Let those who know what you're all about tell the world you're great and not quitting.
17: And me? I'm a mess. I'm nothing and have nothing: make something of me. You can do it; you've got what it takes--but God, don't put it off.