A Psalm of David.
1LORD, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee.
2Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.141.2 set…: Heb. directed
3Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.
4Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties.
5Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.141.5 me; it shall be a…: or, me kindly, and reprove me; let not their precious oil break, etc
6When their judges are overthrown in stony places, they shall hear my words; for they are sweet.
7Our bones are scattered at the grave’s mouth, as when one cutteth and cleaveth wood upon the earth.
8But mine eyes are unto thee, O GOD the Lord: in thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute.141.8 leave…: Heb. make not my soul bare
9Keep me from the snares which they have laid for me, and the gins of the workers of iniquity.
10Let the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst that I withal escape.141.10 escape: Heb. pass over
Psalm 141
A psalm of David.
1I call to you, Lord, come quickly to me;
hear me when I call to you.
2May my prayer be set before you like incense;
may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.
3Set a guard over my mouth, Lord;
keep watch over the door of my lips.
4Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil
so that I take part in wicked deeds
along with those who are evildoers;
do not let me eat their delicacies.
5Let a righteous man strike me – that is a kindness;
let him rebuke me – that is oil on my head.
My head will not refuse it,
for my prayer will still be against the deeds of evildoers.
6Their rulers will be thrown down from the cliffs,
and the wicked will learn that my words were well spoken.
7They will say, ‘As one ploughs and breaks up the earth,
so our bones have been scattered at the mouth of the grave.’
8But my eyes are fixed on you, Sovereign Lord;
in you I take refuge – do not give me over to death.
9Keep me safe from the traps set by evildoers,
from the snares they have laid for me.
10Let the wicked fall into their own nets,
while I pass by in safety.
