Psalms - 41

¹  For the music director; a psalm of David. How blessed is the one who treats the poor properly! When trouble comes, may the LORD deliver him. ²  May the LORD protect him and save his life! May he be blessed in the land! Do not turn him over to his enemies! ³  The LORD supports him on his sickbed; you have healed him from his illness. ⁴  As for me, I said:“O LORD, have mercy on me! Heal me, for I have sinned against you!

⁵  My enemies ask this cruel question about me,‘When will he finally die and be forgotten?’ ⁶  When someone comes to visit, he pretends to be friendly; he thinks of ways to defame me, and when he leaves he slanders me. ⁷  All who hate me whisper insults about me to one another; they plan ways to harm me. ⁸  They say,‘An awful disease overwhelms him, and now that he is bed-ridden he will never recover.’ ⁹  Even my close friend whom I trusted, he who shared meals with me, has turned against me. ¹⁰  As for you, O LORD, have mercy on me and raise me up, so I can pay them back!” ¹¹  By this I know that you are pleased with me, for my enemy does not triumph over me. ¹²  As for me, you uphold me because of my integrity; you allow me permanent access to your presence. ¹³  The LORD God of Israel deserves praise in the future and forevermore! We agree! We agree!