Psalm 41

Blessed is he who cares about the destitute;
In times of trouble Jehovah will rescue him;
Jehovah will preserve him and keep him alive
That he may be blessed in the land; he will not
Surrender him to the will of his enemies.

On his sickbed Jehovah will nurse him;
He will raise him up and restore him to health.
I have cried, “Jehovah, have mercy on me.
Heal my body for I have sinned against you.”
My enemies speak evil words about me,
“When will he die and his name pass away?”
They visit me as if they were my friends,
But when they are here they gather gossip,
And when they leave they spread the slanders abroad.

Those who hate me whisper among themselves,
Imagining the worst for me and saying,
“He’s afflicted with some fatal disease
And will never rise up from where he lies.”
Even my closest friend, who had my trust,
Who did share my bread, has turned against me.
May you have mercy on me, Jehovah.
Let me recover that I may show them up.

I know that you are pleased with me,
For you have not let my enemies
Proclaim their triumph over me.
Because of my integrity,
You have supported me and will let me
Enjoy your presence forever.

Blessed be Jehovah, the god of Israel,
From everlasting age to everlasting age;
Amen and Amen!

Psalm 40

For Jehovah I waited patiently.
He turned to me and heard my plea for help.
He pulled me out of a desolate pit
Of muck and mire and set me on a rock;
He steadied me and sent me on my way,
Teaching me a new song of praise to our god.

Many will see and be in awe
And place their trust in Jehovah.
Blessed is he who makes Jehovah
The object of his faith and turns not
To the falsehoods of the arrogant.

Your miracles have multiplied,
As have your plans for our people.
They are too many to mention;
Indeed, none can compare with you.
I would proclaim your wondrous acts,
But they are more than one can count.

You craved not sacrifices and offerings;
You made me understand they were not required,
The burnt offerings and the sin offerings.

Then I announced, “Behold I have arrived!” --
As it is written of me in the scriptures.
I delight in doing your will, O my god,
For your law is written deep in my heart.
I have proclaimed to the congregation
The tidings of your justice, and, as you know,
I did not hold my tongue, O Jehovah.
I did not hide in my breast your righteousness:
I announced your faithfulness and salvation.
From the congregation I did not conceal
Your truth, your love and kindness and mercy.

O Jehovah, do not hold back from me,
Your mercy, for it is your faithful love
That will protect and preserve me forever.
For countless evils have encompassed me
And my sins have taken such hold of me
That I can no longer see my way clear.
They number more that the hairs on my head.
My heart and courage have forsaken me.

Please, then, Jehovah, deliver me,
Make haste, Jehovah, and help me!
May those who seek to take my life
Know shame and humiliation.
May those who wish to do me harm
Be put to disgraceful retreat.
Those who taunt me with “Aha, aha,”
May they be shocked by their own shame.

Let those who seek you out, rejoice
And be gladdened because of you.
Let those who love your salvation
Always say, “Great is Jehovah!”

As for me, I am poor and needy.
May Jehovah give thought to me.
You are my help and my savior,
May there be no delay, my god.