1 You, Lord God, bless everyone

who cares for the poor,

and you rescue those people

in times of trouble.

2 You protect them

and keep them alive.

You make them happy here

in this land,

and you don't hand them over

to their enemies.

3 You always heal them

and restore their strength

when they are sick.

4 I prayed, "Have pity, Lord!

Heal me, though I have sinned

against you."

5 My vicious enemies ask me,

"When will you die

and be forgotten?"

6 When visitors come,

all they ever bring

are worthless words,

and when they leave,

they spread gossip.

7 My enemies whisper about me.

They think the worst,

8 and they say,

"You have some fatal disease!

You'll never get well."

9 * My most trusted friend

has turned against me,

though he ate at my table.

10 Have pity, Lord! Heal me,

so I can pay them back.

11 Then my enemies

won't defeat me,

and I will know

that you really care.

12 You have helped me

because I am innocent,

and you will always

be close to my side.

13 * You, the Lord God of Israel,

will be praised forever!

Amen and amen.