For the choir director: A psalm of David.
1 Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor!
TheLordrescues them when they are in trouble.
2 TheLordprotects them
and keeps them alive.
He gives them prosperity in the land
and rescues them from their enemies.
3 TheLordnurses them when they are sick
and restores them to health.
4 “OLord,” 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 theLord, the God of Israel,
who lives from everlasting to everlasting.
Amen and amen!
—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/6/32k/PSA/41-59829e51af3325cb003c1f280a7d4cea.mp3?version_id=116—