For the choir director: A psalm of David.
1Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor!The LORD rescues them when they are in trouble.
2 The LORD protects themand keeps them alive.He gives them prosperity in the landand rescues them from their enemies.
3 The LORD nurses them when they are sickand 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.
10LORD, 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.
13Praise the LORD, the God of Israel,who lives from everlasting to everlasting.Amen and amen!BOOK TWO (Psalms 42–72)
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