Psalm 41

1. For the choir director: A psalm of David. 1 1 Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor! 1 The Lord rescues them when they are in trouble.

2. The Lord protects them 2 and keeps them alive. 2 He gives them prosperity in the land 2 and rescues them from their enemies.

3. The Lord nurses them when they are sick 3 and restores them to health.

4. “O Lord,” I prayed, “have mercy on me. 4 Heal me, for I have sinned against you.”

5. But my enemies say nothing but evil about me. 5 “How soon will he die and be forgotten?” they ask.

6. They visit me as if they were my friends, 6 but all the while they gather gossip, 6 and when they leave, they spread it everywhere.

7. All who hate me whisper about me, 7 imagining the worst.

8. “He has some fatal disease,” they say. 8 “He will never get out of that bed!”

9. Even my best friend, the one I trusted completely, 9 the one who shared my food, has turned against me.

10. Lord, have mercy on me. 10 Make me well again, so I can pay them back!

11. I know you are pleased with me, 11 for you have not let my enemies triumph over me.

12. You have preserved my life because I am innocent; 12 you have brought me into your presence forever.

13. Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, 13 who lives from everlasting to everlasting. 13 Amen and amen!