| 1
| Happy are they who consider the poor and
needy! *
the LORD will deliver them in the time of trouble.
|
| 2
| The LORD preserves them and keeps them alive,
so that they may be happy in the land; *
he does not hand them over to the will of their enemies.
|
| 3
| The LORD sustains them on their sickbed *
and ministers to them in their illness.
|
| 4
| I said, "LORD, be merciful to me; *
heal me, for I have sinned against you."
|
| 5
| My enemies are saying wicked things about
me: *
"When will he die, and his name perish?"
|
| 6
| Even if they come to see me, they speak empty
words; *
their heart collects false rumors;
they go outside and spread them.
|
| 7
| All my enemies whisper together about me
*
and devise evil against me.
|
| 8
| "A deadly thing," they say, "has
fastened on him; *
he has taken to his bed and will never get up again."
|
| 9
| Even my best friend, whom I trusted,
who broke bread with me, *
has lifted up his heel and turned against me.
|
| 10
| But you, O LORD, be merciful to me and raise
me up, *
and I shall repay them.
|
| 11
| By this I know you are pleased with me, *
that my enemy does not triumph over me.
|
| 12
| In my integrity you hold me fast, *
and shall set me before your face for ever.
|
| 13
| Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, *
from age to age. Amen. Amen.
|
