Psalm 41a

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1 Blesseda are those who have regard for the weak;b

the Lord delivers them in times of trouble.c

2 The Lord protectsd and preserves them—e

they are counted among the blessed in the land—f

he does not give them over to the desire of their foes.g

3 The Lord sustains them on their sickbedh

and restores them from their bed of illness.i

4 I said, “Have mercyj on me, Lord;

healk me, for I have sinnedl against you.”

5 My enemies say of me in malice,

“When will he die and his name perish?m”

6 When one of them comes to see me,

he speaks falsely,n while his heart gathers slander;o

then he goes out and spreadsp it around.

7 All my enemies whisper togetherq against me;

they imagine the worst for me, saying,

8 “A vile disease has afflicted him;

he will never get upr from the place where he lies.”

9 Even my close friend,s

someone I trusted,

one who shared my bread,

has turnedb against me.t

10 But may you have mercyu on me, Lord;

raise me up,v that I may repayw them.

11 I know that you are pleased with me,x

for my enemy does not triumph over me.y

12 Because of my integrityz you uphold mea

and set me in your presence forever.b

13 Praisec be to the Lord, the God of Israel,d

from everlasting to everlasting.

Amen and Amen.e