< Psalms 141 >

1 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!
“A psalm of David.” O Lord, I call thee, hasten unto me: give ear unto my voice, when I call unto thee.
2 May my prayer be like incense before you, my uplifted hands like an evening offering.
May my prayer be valued as incense before thee, the lifting up of my hands, as the evening offering.
3 Lord, make sure I don't say anything I shouldn't—keep a watch over my conversations.
Set, O Lord, a watch unto my mouth: keep a guard at the door of my lips.
4 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.
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 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.
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 They shall be thrown down by the power of the rock that judges them, and then they will recognize what I said was true!
Are their judges fallen down through means of a rock: then will they listen to my words; for they are pleasant.
7 Just as the earth is broken up by the plough, so shall their bones be scattered at the mouth of Sheol. (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 But I'm looking to you, Lord God, for I find protection in you. Don't let me die!
For unto thee, O Eternal Lord, are my eyes directed; in thee do I trust: pour not out my life.
9 Keep me safe from the traps they have set to catch me, from the snares of evil people.
Guard me from the power of the snare which they have laid for me, and the traps of the wrong-doers.
10 Let them fall into their own traps while I pass by unharmed.
Let the wicked fall into their own nets, altogether—while I pass safely by.

< Psalms 141 >