Paid app accidentally deleted and now can't re-download: says I "already own" the app
Well, I figured it out ...


Go to https://play.google.com/apps
Log in with the same credentials that are used on my device
A list of all my installed apps is shown. Find the deleted app and click on its icon
An "Installed" button shows up. Click on that button
A window pops up with an "Install" and "Cancel" button. Click on the "Install" button.


This caused my device to start downloading and installing the app. Now it has been successfully re-installed.

Problem solved!

PS: It would be nice if Google allowed us to perform this same function from the Play Store app on our devices, so we don't have to go to a browser and access https://play.google.com/apps.