How to be emulated are those who give consideration to the poor;
Yahweh will deliver them in the time of trouble.
Yahweh protects them and keeps them alive;
they are declared to be happy in the land.
You do not hand them over to the power of their enemies.
Yahweh sustains them on their sickbed;
when they are lying sick, you transform all their illnesses.
As for me, I said, "Yahweh, be gracious to me.
heal me for I have sinned against you."
My enemies think evil about me,
when this person will die and when his or her reputation will perish.
When they came to see me,
they mutter empty words,
but their heart plots mischief;
when they go away, they blab everything.
All who hate me whisper together about me;
they plan the worst for me.
A wicked thing has fastened on that person (they hope),
that person will lie down and never get up again.
Even my best friend, whom I trusted,
those people who eat my food, they are the ones who have lifted their heel against me.
But you, Yahweh, be gracious to me,
and raise me up so that I may repay you.
But at least I know this: that you take pleasure in me;
for my enemy has not triumphed over me.
As for me, you have upheld me in my integrity;
and set me down in your presence forever.
Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting.
Amen and Amen.
© 2003 Ralph W. Klein