1
Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor!
The Lord rescues them when they are in trouble.
2
The Lord protects them
and keeps them alive.
He gives them prosperity in the land
and rescues them from their enemies.
3
The Lord nurses them when they are sick
and restores them to health.
4
“O Lord ,” I prayed, “have mercy on me.
Heal me, for I have sinned against you.”
5
But my enemies say nothing but evil about me.
“How soon will he die and be forgotten?” they ask.
6
They visit me as if they were my friends,
but all the while they gather gossip,
and when they leave, they spread it everywhere.
7
All who hate me whisper about me,
imagining the worst.
8
“He has some fatal disease,” they say.
“He will never get out of that bed!”
9
Even my best friend, the one I trusted completely,
the one who shared my food, has turned against me.
10
Lord , have mercy on me.
Make me well again, so I can pay them back!
11
I know you are pleased with me,
for you have not let my enemies triumph over me.
12
You have preserved my life because I am innocent;
you have brought me into your presence forever.
13
Praise the Lord , the God of Israel,
who lives from everlasting to everlasting.
Amen and amen!