Psalms 41

1 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.

For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. Blessed is the one who cares for the poor; the LORD will deliver him in the day of trouble.

2 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.

The LORD will protect and preserve him; He will bless him in the land and refuse to surrender him to the will of his foes.

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

The LORD will sustain him on his bed of illness and restore him from his bed of sickness.

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

I said, “O LORD, be gracious to me; heal me, for I have sinned against You.”

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

My enemies say with malice: “When will he die and be forgotten?”

6 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.

My visitor speaks falsehood; he gathers slander in his heart; he goes out and spreads it abroad.

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

All who hate me whisper against me; they imagine the worst for me:

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

“A vile disease has been poured into him; he will never get up from where he lies!”

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

Even my close friend whom I trusted, the one who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.

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

But You, O LORD, be gracious to me and raise me up, that I may repay them.

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

By this I know that You delight in me, for my enemy does not triumph over me.

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

In my integrity You uphold me and set me in Your presence forever.

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

Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen.