Psalms 141
1 A Psalm of David. I call upon You, O LORD; come quickly to me. Hear my voice when I call to You.
A psalm of David. Lord, I'm calling out to you! Please hurry up and help me! Please listen to me when I cry out to you!
2 May my prayer be set before You like incense, my uplifted hands like the evening offering.
May my prayer be like incense before you, my uplifted hands like an evening offering.
3 Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips.
Lord, make sure I don't say anything I shouldn't—keep a watch over my conversations.
4 Do not let my heart be drawn to any evil thing or take part in works of wickedness with men who do iniquity; let me not feast on their delicacies.
Don't let me think about evil things or take part in doing anything wrong with wicked people. I won't join in eating fancy food at their feasts.
5 Let the righteous man strike me; let his rebuke be an act of loving devotion. It is oil for my head; let me not refuse it. For my prayer is ever against the deeds of the wicked.
Let a good person punish me in love—let them correct me. It will be like an anointing—I won't refuse it. But I still pray against those who do evil.
6 When their rulers are thrown down from the cliffs, the people will listen to my words, for they are pleasant.
They shall be thrown down by the power of the rock that judges them, and then they will recognize what I said was true!
7 As when one plows and breaks up the soil, so our bones have been scattered at the mouth of Sheol. (Sheol h7585)
Just as the earth is broken up by the plough, so shall their bones be scattered at the mouth of Sheol. (Sheol h7585)
8 But my eyes are fixed on You, O GOD the Lord. In You I seek refuge; do not leave my soul defenseless.
But I'm looking to you, Lord God, for I find protection in you. Don't let me die!
9 Keep me from the snares they have laid for me, and from the lures of evildoers.
Keep me safe from the traps they have set to catch me, from the snares of evil people.
10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by in safety.
Let them fall into their own traps while I pass by unharmed.
