For the music director: a psalm of David.

Those who take care of the wretched

are blessed because Adonai will save them

when the day is evil.

Adonai will shelter and sustain them

– they will be numbered along the land’s blessed

– they will not be given over

to the whims of their enemies.

Adonai will give them strength

when they are lying on their sickbed

and will heal them where they lay.

I said “Have mercy on me, Adonai.

Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You.”

My enemies maliciously talk about me,

saying “When will he die and his name be forgotten?”

If one of them comes to visit me,

he lies and he stores up slander in his heart

then he goes out and gossips.

Those who hate me whisper together against me,

they dream up torments for me, saying

“An evil potion was poured into him.

He won’t rise again from his sickbed.”

Even my trusted friend,

one who shared my bread

has lifted up his heel against me.

But You, Adonai, show me mercy,

and raise me up, so I can repay them.

By this I know that You are pleased with me:

my enemy does not defeat me.

You uphold me because of my integrity

and place me right in front of You forever.

May Adonai, the God of Israel,

be praised for all eternity.

Amen and amen!