Psalms 141
1 A Psalm of David. O Lord, I have cried to you; hear me: attend to the voice of my supplication, when I cry 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 Let my prayer be set forth before you as incense; the lifting up of my hands [as] an evening sacrifice.
May my prayer be like incense before you, my uplifted hands like an evening offering.
3 Set a watch, O Lord, on my mouth, and a strong door about by lips.
Lord, make sure I don't say anything I shouldn't—keep a watch over my conversations.
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.
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 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 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 Their mighty ones have been swallowed up near the rock: they shall hear my words, for they are sweet.
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 a lump of earth is crushed upon the ground, our bones have been scattered by the [mouth of] the grave. (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 For mine eyes are to you, O Lord God: I have hoped in you; take not away my life.
But I'm looking to you, Lord God, for I find protection in you. Don't let me die!
9 Keep me from the snare which they have set for me, and from the stumbling blocks of them that work iniquity.
Keep me safe from the traps they have set to catch me, from the snares of evil people.
10 Sinners shall fall by their own net: I am alone until I shall escape.
Let them fall into their own traps while I pass by unharmed.
