Psalms 41

1 For the Leader. A Psalm of David. Happy is he that considereth the poor; the LORD will deliver him in the day of evil.

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 The LORD preserve him, and keep him alive, let him be called happy in the land; and deliver not Thou him unto the greed of his enemies.

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 The LORD support him upon the bed of illness; mayest Thou turn all his lying down in his sickness.

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

4 As for me, I said: 'O LORD, be gracious unto me; heal my soul; for I have sinned against Thee.'

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

5 Mine enemies speak evil of me: '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 one come to see me, he speaketh falsehood; his heart gathereth iniquity to itself; when he goeth abroad, he speaketh of it.

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 that hate me whisper together against me, against me do they devise my hurt:

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

8 'An evil thing cleaveth fast unto him; and now that he lieth, he shall rise up no more.'

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

9 Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, who did eat of my bread, hath 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 Thou, O LORD, be gracious unto me, and raise me up, that I may requite them.

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

11 By this I know that Thou delightest in me, that mine enemy doth not triumph over me.

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

12 And as for me, Thou upholdest me because of mine integrity, and settest me before Thy face for ever.

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

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

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