< 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. LORD, I have called 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 guard, O LORD, to my mouth; keep watch at 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 be occupied in 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 in kindness, and correct me; oil so choice let not my head refuse; for still is my prayer because of their wickedness.
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, that 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 cleaveth and breaketh up the earth, our bones are scattered at the grave's mouth. (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 GOD the Lord; in Thee have I taken refuge, O pour not out my soul.
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 I withal escape.