The Blessing and Suffering of the Godly

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

1 Blessedishe who considers the poor;

TheLordwill deliver him in time of trouble.

2 TheLordwill preserve him and keep him alive,

Andhe will be blessed on the earth;

You will not deliver him to the will of his enemies.

3 TheLordwill strengthen him on his bed of illness;

You will sustain him on his sickbed.

4 I said, “Lord, be merciful to me;

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

5 My enemies speak evil of me:

“When will he die, and his name perish?”

6 And if he comes to seeme,he speaks lies;

His heart gathers iniquity to itself;

Whenhe goes out, he tellsit.

7 All who hate me whisper together against me;

Against me they devise my hurt.

8 “An evil disease,”theysay,“clings to him.

Andnowthat he lies down, he will rise up no more.”

9 Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted,

Who ate my bread,

Has lifted uphisheel against me.

10 But You, OLord, be merciful to me, and raise me up,

That I may repay them.

11 By this I know that You are well pleased with me,

Because my enemy does not triumph over me.

12 As for me, You uphold me in my integrity,

Andset me before Your face forever.

13 BlessedbetheLordGod of Israel

From everlasting to everlasting!

Amen and Amen.