For the music director; a psalm of David.
41:1 How blessed is the one who treats the poor properly!
When trouble comes, the Lord delivers him.
41:2 May the Lord protect him and save his life!
May he be blessed in the land!
Do not turn him over to his enemies!
41:3 The Lord supports him on his sickbed;
you completely heal him from his illness.
41:4 As for me, I said:
“O Lord, have mercy on me!
Heal me, for I have sinned against you!
41:5 My enemies ask this cruel question about me,
‘When will he finally die and be forgotten?’
41:6 When someone comes to visit, he pretends to be friendly;
he thinks of ways to defame me,
and when he leaves he slanders me.
41:7 All who hate me whisper insults about me to one another;
they plan ways to harm me.
41:8 They say,
‘An awful disease overwhelms him,
and now that he is bed-ridden he will never recover.’
41:9 Even my close friend whom I trusted,
he who shared meals with me, has turned against me.
41:10 As for you, O Lord, have mercy on me and raise me up,
so I can pay them back!”
41:11 By this I know that you are pleased with me,
for my enemy does not triumph over me.
41:12 As for me, you uphold me because of my integrity;
you allow me permanent access to your presence.
41:13 The Lord God of Israel deserves praise
in the future and forevermore!
We agree! We agree!