Psalm 41 International Children’s Bible (ICB)

For the director of music. A song of David.

41 Happy is the person who thinks about the poor.
    When trouble comes, the Lord will save him.
² The Lord will protect him and spare his life.
    The Lord will bless him in the land.
    The Lord will not let his enemies take him.
³ The Lord will give him strength when he is sick.
    The Lord will make him well again.

⁴ I said, “Lord, be kind to me.
    Heal me because I have sinned against you.”
⁵ My enemies are saying bad things about me.
    They say, “When will he die and be forgotten?”
⁶ Some people come to see me.
    But they lie.
They just come to get bad news.
    Then they go and gossip.
⁷ All my enemies whisper about me.
    They think the worst about me.
⁸ They say, “He has a terrible disease.
    He will never get out of bed again.”
⁹ My best and truest friend ate at my table.
    Now even he has turned against me.

¹⁰ Lord, have mercy on me.
    Give me strength so I can pay them back.
¹¹ My enemies do not defeat me.
    That’s how I know you are pleased with me.
¹² Because I am innocent, you support me.
    You will let me be with you forever.

¹³ Praise the Lord, the God of Israel.
    He has always been,
    and he will always be.

Amen and amen.

Psalm 40 New International Version (NIV)

For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

¹ I waited patiently for the Lord;
    he turned to me and heard my cry.
² He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
    out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
    and gave me a firm place to stand.
³ He put a new song in my mouth,
    a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
    and put their trust in him.

⁴ Blessed is the one
    who trusts in the Lord,
who does not look to the proud,
    to those who turn aside to false gods.
⁵ Many, Lord my God,
    are the wonders you have done,
    the things you planned for us.
None can compare with you;
    were I to speak and tell of your deeds,
    they would be too many to declare.

⁶ Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—
    but my ears you have opened—
    burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.
⁷ Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—
    it is written about me in the scroll.
⁸ I desire to do your will, my God;
    your law is within my heart.”

⁹ I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly;
    I do not seal my lips, Lord,
    as you know.
¹⁰ I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
    I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help.
I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness
    from the great assembly.

¹¹ Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord;
    may your love and faithfulness always protect me.
¹² For troubles without number surround me;
    my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.
They are more than the hairs of my head,
    and my heart fails within me.
¹³ Be pleased to save me, Lord;
    come quickly, Lord, to help me.

¹⁴ May all who want to take my life
    be put to shame and confusion;
may all who desire my ruin
    be turned back in disgrace.
¹⁵ May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!”
    be appalled at their own shame.
¹⁶ But may all who seek you
    rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who long for your saving help always say,
    “The Lord is great!”

¹⁷ But as for me, I am poor and needy;
    may the Lord think of me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
    you are my God, do not delay.