Psalms 41

1 Blessed is he that considers the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.

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 will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed on the earth: and you will not deliver him to the will 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 will strengthen him on the bed of languishing: you will make 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, LORD, be merciful to 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 My 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 he come to see me, he speaks vanity: his heart gathers iniquity to itself; when he goes abroad, he tells 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 disease, say they, sticks fast to him: and now that he lies 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 Yes, my own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, has 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, be merciful to 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 you favor me, because my enemy does 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, you uphold me in my integrity, and set me before your face 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. Amen, and Amen.

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