Expectans, expectavi

They are both forms of the verb expecto (or exspecto)
expectans is the present participle
expectavi is the perfect

The etymology is ex -- from and specto -- look.

The word means "to await, expect something that is to come or to take place,
to be waiting for, etc." And also: "To look for with hope, fear, desire,
expectation, to hope for, long for, expect, desire; to fear, dread, anticipate,
apprehend." These definitions are from Lewis and Short's A Latin Dictionary.

I don't think much of the "patiently" translation. It seems to me the author is
saying "Longing, I awaited the Lord . . ."

Here's a link to the dictionary entry:
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0059%3Aentry%3Dexspecto

And here's link to the online version of the Latin Vulgate
(it's paired with the Douay_Rheims translation so the Psalm is numbered 39)
http://latinvulgate.com/verse.aspx?t=0&b=21&c=39

Thank you once again, George! This was most helpful.

Glad I could help, tjhudson.

Hi, I do hope someone can help I am after the translation in Latin for
"Give me Joy in my heart" its for a tattoo in memory of my mum - thanks

"Give me Joy in my heart"

Da mihi gaudium in corde meo

Da --> give
mihi --> to me
gaudium --> joy
in --> in
corde --> heart
meo --> my

Please read this.