1 Blessèd are they who help the weak and poor;
God will deliver them in times of strife.
2 Surely the LORD will bless them in the land;
he will protect them and preserve their life.
He will not hand them over to their foes,
nor give them over to their evil will.
3 God’s help sustains them when on their sickbed;
you, LORD, will raise them up when they are ill.
4 I said, “O LORD, be gracious unto me;
heal me, because against you I have sinned.”
5 Enemies speak with malice when they say,
“When will you die, your name be brought to end?”
6 They come to me with evil in their hearts;
when they go out, they spread their empty lies.
7 All of my foes who hate me whisper low,
plotting the worst that evil minds devise.
8 They say, “A vile disease has struck you down;
you never will get up and leave your bed.”
9 Even my close friends turned their backs on me;
they whom I trusted and who shared my bread.
10 But you, O LORD, be merciful to me.
Raise me again their malice to repay.
11 I know that you are pleased with me, O LORD;
for over me my foes do not hold sway.
12 You hold me fast in my integrity;
you set me in your presence evermore.
13 Bless Israel’s God, the LORD, from age to age!
Amen. Amen. Forever praise the LORD!
– Trinity Psalter Hymnal, alt.
Oremus 