(A psalm by David for the music leader.)
A Prayer in Time of Sickness
1You, Lord God, bless everyone
who cares for the poor,
and you rescue those people
in times of trouble.
2You protect them
and keep them alive.
You make them happy here
in this land,
and you don't hand them over
to their enemies.
3You always heal them
and restore their strength
when they are sick.
4I prayed, “Have pity, Lord!
Heal me, though I have sinned
against you.”
5My vicious enemies ask me,
“When will you die
and be forgotten?”
6When visitors come,
all they ever bring
are worthless words,
and when they leave,
they spread gossip.
7My enemies whisper about me.
They think the worst,
8and 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.
10Have pity, Lord! Heal me,
so I can pay them back.
11Then my enemies
won't defeat me,
and I will know
that you really care.
12You 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.