Psalm 41

Blessed is the one who considers the poor and needy; the Lord shall deliver him in the time of trouble.

The Lord preserves him and keeps him alive, that he may be blessed upon earth, and delivers him not over to the will of his enemies.

The Lord comforts him when he lies sick upon his bed, and restores him from his bed of sickness.

I said, “Lord, be merciful to me; heal my soul, for I have sinned against you.”

My enemies speak evil of me: “When shall he die, and his name perish?”

And if anyone comes to see me, he speaks empty words; his heart conceives falsehood within him, and when he goes forth, he tells it.

All my enemies whisper together against me; even against me are they devising evil:

“A deadly thing has taken hold of him, and now that he lies down, he will rise up no more.”

Indeed, even my own familiar friend, whom I trusted, who also ate of my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.

But be merciful to me, O Lord; raise me up again, and I shall repay them.

By this I know you favor me, that my enemy does not triumph over me.

And when I am in health, you uphold me, and shall set me before your face for ever.

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, world without end. Amen.