A Prayer in Sickness+

1Happy are those who are concerned for the poor;

the Lord will help them when they are in trouble.

2The Lord will protect them and preserve their lives;

he will make them happy in the land;

he will not abandon them to the power of their enemies.

3The Lord will help them when they are sick

and will restore them to health.

4I said, “I have sinned against you, Lord;

be merciful to me and heal me.”

5My enemies say cruel things about me.

They want me to die and be forgotten.

6Those who come to see me are not sincere;

they gather bad news about me

and then go out and tell it everywhere.

7All who hate me whisper to each other about me,

they imagine the worst about+ me.

8They say, “He is fatally ill;

he will never leave his bed again.”

9 Even my best friend, the one I trusted most,

the one who shared my food,

has turned against me.

10Be merciful to me, Lord, and restore my health,

and I will pay my enemies back.

11They will not triumph over me,

and I will know that you are pleased with me.

12You will help me, because I do what is right;

you will keep me in your presence forever.

13 Praise the Lord, the God of Israel!

Praise him now and forever!

Amen! Amen!