Psalm 41

Ps. 41
For the director of music. A psalm of David.

 Tune: Materna CMD "America the Beautiful" 

1   Blest he who gives his careful thought 

    to weak and helpless ones:

    the LORD will surely save him when

    the time of trouble comes.

2  The LORD will guard, keep him alive:

    he'll prosper in the land;

    and he will not deliver him

    into his en'mies hand.

3  When sick the LORD will strengthen him,

    and carefully make his bed.

4  "Heal me; against you I have sinned;

    LORD, mercy show," I said.

5  "When will he die; his line die out?"

    is what my foes all pray;

6  so when they come to visit me

    they don't mean what they say.

    They gather gossip, then go out

    and spread it all about.

7  They whisper quietly on the side;

    discuss a dreadful fate:

8  "He'll never leave his bed again;

    his is a hopeless case."

9  My friend with whom I often ate,

    his heel puts in my face.

10 But mercy show, LORD, me restore;

     thus I'll repay their sin.

11 And so I'll know you're pleased with me,

     and that my foes won't win.

12 Because of my integrity

     you keep firm hold of me;

    and ever in your presence you

    assign my place to be.

13 The LORD, the God of Israel,

     be blest and blest again,

     from age to age eternally.

     Amen! I say, Amen!