< 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 by David.] LORD, I have called on you. Come to me quickly. Listen to my voice when I call to you.
2 Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; the lifting up of my hands [as] an evening sacrifice.
Let my prayer be set before you like incense; the lifting up of my hands like the evening sacrifice.
3 Set a watch, O Lord, on my mouth, and a strong door about by lips.
Set a watch, LORD, before my mouth. Keep 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.
Do not incline my heart to any evil thing, to practice deeds of wickedness with men who work iniquity. Do not let me eat of their delicacies.
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.
Let the righteous strike me, it is kindness; let him reprove me, it is like oil on the head; do not let my head refuse it; Yet my prayer is always against evil deeds.
6 Their mighty ones have been swallowed up near the rock: they shall hear my words, for they are sweet.
Their judges are thrown down by the sides of the rock. They will hear my words, for they are well spoken.
7 As a lump of earth is crushed upon the ground, our bones have been scattered by the [mouth of] the grave. (Sheol )
"As when one plows and breaks up the earth, our bones are scattered at the mouth of Sheol." (Sheol )
8 For mine eyes are to thee, O Lord God: I have hoped in thee; take not away my life.
For my eyes are on you, LORD. In you, I take refuge. Do not leave my soul destitute.
9 Keep me from the snare which they have set for me, and from the stumbling blocks of them that work iniquity.
Keep me from the snare which they have laid for me, from the traps of evildoers.
10 Sinners shall fall by their own net: I am alone until I shall escape.
Let the wicked fall together into their own nets, while I pass by.