Psalm 41 - Contemporary English Version Interconfessional Edition

A Prayer in Time of Sickness

(A psalm by David for the music leader.)

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.