< Psalms 141 >
1 “A psalm of David.” O Lord, I call thee, hasten unto me: give ear unto my voice, when I call unto thee.
A Psalm of David. Jehovah, I have called upon thee; make haste unto me: Give ear unto my voice, when I call unto thee.
2 May my prayer be valued as incense before thee, the lifting up of my hands, as the evening offering.
Let my prayer be set forth as incense before thee; The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
3 Set, O Lord, a watch unto my mouth: keep a guard at the door of my lips.
Set a watch, O Jehovah, before my mouth; Keep the door of my lips.
4 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.
Incline not my heart to any evil thing, To practise deeds of wickedness With men that work iniquity: And let me not eat of their dainties.
5 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.
Let the righteous smite me, [it shall be] a kindness; And let him reprove me, [it shall be as] oil upon the head; Let not my head refuse it: For even in their wickedness shall my prayer continue.
6 Are their judges fallen down through means of a rock: then will they listen to my words; for they are pleasant.
Their judges are thrown down by the sides of the rock; And they shall hear my words; for they are sweet.
7 As when one cutteth in and splitteth open the earth: so are our bones scattered for the mouth of the grave. (Sheol )
As when one ploweth and cleaveth the earth, Our bones are scattered at the mouth of Sheol. (Sheol )
8 For unto thee, O Eternal Lord, are my eyes directed; in thee do I trust: pour not out my life.
For mine eyes are unto thee, O Jehovah the Lord: In thee do I take refuge; leave not my soul destitute.
9 Guard me from the power of the snare which they have laid for me, and the traps of the wrong-doers.
Keep me from the snare which they have laid for me, And from the gins of the workers of iniquity.
10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets, altogether—while I pass safely by.
Let the wicked fall into their own nets, Whilst that I withal escape.