Psalm 41
1Happy are they who consider the poor and needy! *
the Lord will deliver them in the time of trouble.
2The Lord preserves them and keeps them alive,
so that they may be happy in the land; *
he does not hand them over to the will of their enemies.
3The Lord sustains them on their sickbed *
and ministers to them in their illness.
4I said, “Lord, be merciful to me; *
heal me, for I have sinned against you.”
5My enemies are saying wicked things about me: *
When will he die, and his name perish?”
6Even if they come to see me, they speak empty words; *
their heart collects false rumors;
they go outside and spread them.
7All my enemies whisper together about me *
and devise evil against me.
8″A deadly thing,” they say, “has fastened on him; *
he has taken to his bed and will never get up again.”
9Even my best friend, whom I trusted,
who broke bread with me, *
has lifted up his heel and turned against me.
10But you, O Lord, be merciful to me and raise me up, *
and I shall repay them.
11By this I know you are pleased with me, *
that my enemy does not triumph over me.
12In my integrity you hold me fast, *
and shall set me before your face for ever.
13Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, *
from age to age. Amen.
A Collect for Mission
O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Image Credit: St. Charles Borromeo Giving Communion to the Plague-Stricken, 17th century, Charles Le Brun
Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Open Access Collection – https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/337588
