Psalms 41

1 For the end, a Psalm of David. Blessed [is the man] who thinks, on the poor and needy: the Lord shall deliver him in an evil day.

For the music director. A psalm of David. How happy are those who take care of the poor! When they are in trouble the Lord will save them.

2 May the Lord preserve him and keep him alive, and bless him on the earth, and not deliver him into the hands of his enemy.

The Lord protects them and keeps them alive. They will live happily in the land, and they will not be handed over to their enemies.

3 May the Lord help him upon the bed of his pain; you have made all his bed in his sickness.

The Lord looks after them when they're sick; he makes them well from their illness.

4 I said, O Lord, have mercy upon me; heal my soul; for I have sinned against you.

“Lord, please be gracious to me,” I asked. “Please heal me, for I have sinned against you.”

5 Mine enemies have spoken evil against me, [saying], When shall he die, and his name perish?

Those who hate me only say evil things about me. “When is he going to die, and people forget all about him?” they ask.

6 And if he came to see [me], his heart spoke vainly; he gathered iniquity to himself; he went forth and spoke in like manner.

They come to visit me, but their sympathy is not sincere. They're only interested in the bad news, which they spread around as soon as they leave.

7 All my enemies whispered against me; against me they devised my hurt.

All who hate me talk in whispers about my condition, hoping for the worst.

8 They denounced a wicked word against me, [saying], Now that he lies, shall he not rise up again?

“He's been cursed with some terrible disease,” they say. “Now he's bed-ridden he'll never recover!”

9 For even the man of my peace, in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, lifted up [his] heel against me.

Even my best friend, the one I trusted, who shared meals with me—even he has turned against me.

10 But you, O Lord, have compassion upon me, and raise me up, and I shall requite them.

But you Lord, please be gracious to me, make me well so I can repay them!

11 By this I know that you have delighted in me, because mine enemy shall not rejoice over me.

I know you are pleased with me because you have not let my enemies win and shout in triumph over me.

12 But you did help me because of [mine] innocence, and have established me before you for ever.

You have supported me because of my integrity, you have brought me into your presence forever.

13 Blessed [be] the Lord God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. So be it, so be it.

Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, from eternity to eternity! Amen and amen!