Psalms 41 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.

Life is good for the one who looks out for the weak — when disaster strikes, Yahweh will pull them through.

Yahweh will guard them and keep them alive — they will be envied throughout the land. He will not hand them over to their enemies' hunger.

Yahweh will hold them up on their sickbed — when they're laid out with illness, you completely restore them.

I said, "Yahweh, show me undeserved kindness — heal me, because I have failed you."

My enemies speak poison about me: "When will he die? When will his name be forgotten?"

When one of them visits, he speaks empty words — his heart stockpiles malice. The moment he leaves, he spreads it around.

Everyone who hates me huddles together, whispering — they plot the worst for me:

"Something evil has latched onto him — he's down for good. He'll never get back up."

Even my closest friend, the one I trusted completely, who shared my bread — he has turned against me.

But you, Yahweh — show me undeserved kindness. Raise me up, and I will set things right with them.

Here is how I know you are pleased with me — my enemy does not get to celebrate over me.

As for me, you hold me steady because of my integrity — you keep me in your presence forever.

All praise to Yahweh, the God of Israel, from the beginning of time to the end of it. Yes. And yes again.