Psalms 141
1 A Psalm of David. O Lord, I have cried to thee; hear me: attend to the voice of my supplication, when I cry to thee.
“A psalm of David.” O Lord, I call thee, hasten unto me: give ear unto my voice, when I call unto thee.
2 Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; the lifting up of my hands [as] an evening sacrifice.
May my prayer be valued as incense before thee, the lifting up of my hands, as the evening offering.
3 Set a watch, O Lord, on my mouth, and a strong door about by lips.
Set, O Lord, a watch unto my mouth: keep a guard at the door of my lips.
4 Incline not my heart to evil things, to employ pretexts for sins, with me who work iniquity: and I will not. let me not unite with their choice ones.
Permit not my heart to incline after any evil thing, to practise deeds in wickedness with men that are doers of wrong: and let me not eat of their dainties.
5 The righteous shall chasten me with mercy, and reprove me: but let not the oil of the sinner anoint my head: for yet shall my prayer also be in their pleasures.
If the righteous strike me, it is a kindness; and if he reprove me, it is [as] oil poured on the head, my head shall not refuse it; for yet my prayer also [is offered] in their sufferings.
6 Their mighty ones have been swallowed up near the rock: they shall hear my words, for they are sweet.
Are their judges fallen down through means of a rock: then will they listen to my words; for they are pleasant.
7 As a lump of earth is crushed upon the ground, our bones have been scattered by the [mouth of] the grave. (Sheol h7585)
As when one cutteth in and splitteth open the earth: so are our bones scattered for the mouth of the grave. (Sheol h7585)
8 For mine eyes are to thee, O Lord God: I have hoped in thee; take not away my life.
For unto thee, O Eternal Lord, are my eyes directed; in thee do I trust: pour not out my life.
9 Keep me from the snare which they have set for me, and from the stumbling blocks of them that work iniquity.
Guard me from the power of the snare which they have laid for me, and the traps of the wrong-doers.
10 Sinners shall fall by their own net: I am alone until I shall escape.
Let the wicked fall into their own nets, altogether—while I pass safely by.
