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To the Director: A Davidic Psalm.

When Things Go Wrong

41 Blessed is the one who is considerate of the destitute;[a]
    the Lord will deliver him when the times are evil.
The Lord will protect him and keep him alive;
    he will be blessed in the land;
        and he will not be handed over to the desires of his enemies.
The Lord will uphold him even on his sickbed;
    you will transform his bed of illness into health.

As for me, I said,
    Lord, be gracious to me!
        Heal me, for I have sinned against you!”
As for my enemies, with malice they said,
    “When will he die and memory of[b] his name perish?”
The one who comes to visit me speaks lies;
    in his heart he thinks slanderous things about me
        and goes around spreading them.
As for all who hate me,
    they whisper together against me;
        they desire to do me harm.

They say, “Wickedness is entrenched in him.
    Once he is brought low,
        he will not rise again.”
As for my best friend,
    the one in whom I trusted,
the one who ate my bread,
    even he has insulted[c] me!

10 But you, Lord, be gracious to me and raise me up
    so that I may pay them back!
11 In this way I will know that you are pleased with me,
    and that my enemies will not shout in triumph over me.
12 As for me, you will maintain my just cause,
    and you will cause me to stand in your presence forever.

13 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
    from eternity to eternity.
        Amen and amen!

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 41:1 Or poor
  2. Psalm 41:5 The Heb. lacks memory of
  3. Psalm 41:9 Lit. has lifted up his heel against