1Happy are they who consider the poor and needy! *the Lord will deliver them in the time of trouble.
2The Lord preserves them and keeps them alive,
so that they may be happy in the land; *he does not hand them over to the will of their enemies.
3The Lord sustains them on their sickbed *and ministers to them in their illness.
4I said, “Lord, be merciful to me; *heal me, for I have sinned against you.”
5My enemies are saying wicked things about me: *“When will he die, and his name perish?”
6Even if they come to see me, they speak empty words; *their heart collects false rumors;
they go outside and spread them.
7All my enemies whisper together about me *and devise evil against me.
8“A deadly thing,” they say, “has fastened on him; *he has taken to his bed and will never get up again.”
9Even my best friend, whom I trusted,
who broke bread with me, *has lifted up his heel and turned against me.
10But you, O Lord, be merciful to me and raise me up, *and I shall repay them.
11By this I know you are pleased with me, *that my enemy does not triumph over me.
12In my integrity you hold me fast, *and shall set me before your face for ever.
13Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, *from age to age. Amen. Amen.