41
For the music director; a psalm of David.
1 How blessed is the one who treats the poor properly!
When trouble comes, the Lord delivers him.
2 May the Lord protect him and save his life!
May he be blessed in the land!
Do not turn him over to his enemies!
3 The Lord supports him on his sickbed;
you completely heal him from his illness.
4 As for me, I said:
“O Lord, have mercy on me!
Heal me, for I have sinned against you!
5 My enemies ask this cruel question about me,
‘When will he finally die and be forgotten?’
6 When someone comes to visit, he pretends to be friendly;
he thinks of ways to defame me,
and when he leaves he slanders me.
7 All who hate me whisper insults about me to one another;
they plan ways to harm me.
8 They say,
‘An awful disease overwhelms him,
and now that he is bed-ridden he will never recover.’
9 Even my close friend whom I trusted,
he who shared meals with me, has turned against me.
10 As for you, O Lord, have mercy on me and raise me up,
so I can pay them back!”
11 By this I know that you are pleased with me,
for my enemy does not triumph over me.
12 As for me, you uphold me because of my integrity;
you allow me permanent access to your presence.
13 The Lord God of Israel deserves praise
in the future and forevermore!
We agree! We agree!