< 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 call to you: hasten, to me, attend to my voice, when I call to you.
2 Let my prayer be set forth before you as incense; the lifting up of my hands [as] an evening sacrifice.
Let my prayer be presented as incense before you, and my uplifted hands as the evening meal-offering.
3 Set a watch, O Lord, on my mouth, and a strong door about by lips.
Set, O Lord, a watch on my mouth, put a guard on 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.
Incline not my heart to an evil matter, to busy myself in deeds of wickedness, in company with workers of evil: never may I partake 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.
A wound or reproof from a good person in kindness is oil which my head shall never refuse. In their misfortune my prayer is still with them.
6 Their mighty ones have been swallowed up near the rock: they shall hear my words, for they are sweet.
Abandoned they are to the hands of their judges: they shall learn that my words are true.
7 As a lump of earth is crushed upon the ground, our bones have been scattered by the [mouth of] the grave. (Sheol )
Like stones on a country road cleft and broken so lie our bones scattered for Death to devour. (Sheol )
8 For mine eyes are to you, O Lord God: I have hoped in you; take not away my life.
But my eyes are turned towards you, O Lord. Do not pour out my life, for in you I take refuge.
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 trap they have laid for me, from the snares of the workers of trouble.
10 Sinners shall fall by their own net: I am alone until I shall escape.
Into their own nets let wicked people fall; while I pass by in safety.