1Happy is the person who thinks about the poor. When trouble comes, the Lord will save him.
2The Lord will protect him and spare his life and will bless him in the land. He will not let his enemies take him.
3The Lord will give him strength when he is sick, and he will make him well again.
4I said, "Lord, have mercy on me. Heal me, because I have sinned against you."
5My enemies are saying evil things about me. They say, "When will he die and be forgotten?"
6Some people come to see me, but they lie. They just come to get bad news. Then they go and gossip.
7All my enemies whisper about me and think the worst about me.
8They say, "He has a terrible disease. He will never get out of bed again."
9My best and truest friend, who ate at my table, has even turned against me.
10Lord, have mercy on me. Give me strength so I can pay them back.
11Because my enemies do not defeat me, I know you are pleased with me.
12Because I am innocent, you support me and will let me be with you forever.
13Praise the Lord, the God of Israel. He has always been, and he will always be. Amen and amen.