[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!