< 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.
To the Overseer. — A Psalm of David. O the happiness of him Who is acting wisely unto the poor, In a day of evil doth Jehovah deliver him.
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.
Jehovah doth preserve him and revive him, He is happy in the land, And Thou givest him not into the will of his enemies.
3 The Lord looks after them when they're sick; he makes them well from their illness.
Jehovah supporteth on a couch of sickness, All his bed Thou hast turned in his weakness.
4 “Lord, please be gracious to me,” I asked. “Please heal me, for I have sinned against you.”
I — I said, 'O Jehovah, favour me, Heal my soul, for I did sin against Thee,'
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.
Mine enemies say evil of me: When he dieth — his name hath perished!
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.
And if he came to see — vanity he speaketh, His heart gathereth iniquity to itself, He goeth out — at the street he speaketh.
7 All who hate me talk in whispers about my condition, hoping for the worst.
All hating me whisper together against me, Against me they devise evil to me:
8 “He's been cursed with some terrible disease,” they say. “Now he's bed-ridden he'll never recover!”
A thing of Belial is poured out on him, And because he lay down he riseth not again.
9 Even my best friend, the one I trusted, who shared meals with me—even he has turned against me.
Even mine ally, in whom I trusted, One eating my bread, made great the heel against me,
10 But you Lord, please be gracious to me, make me well so I can repay them!
And Thou, Jehovah, favour me, And cause me to rise, And I give recompence to 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 have known, That Thou hast delighted in me, Because my enemy shouteth not over me.
12 You have supported me because of my integrity, you have brought me into your presence forever.
As to me, in mine integrity, Thou hast taken hold upon me, And causest me to stand before Thee to the age.
13 Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, from eternity to eternity! Amen and amen!
Blessed [is] Jehovah, God of Israel, From the age — and unto the age. Amen and Amen.