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.

Lord, I cry to you: make haste to me; give ear to my voice, when I cry to you.

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 before you as incense; and 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 LORD, 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 practice wicked works 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 an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.

6 Are their judges fallen down through means of a rock: then will they listen to my words; for they are pleasant.

When their judges are overthrown in stony places, 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 h7585)

Our bones are scattered at the grave’s mouth, as when one cuts and splits wood on the earth. (Sheol h7585)

8 For unto thee, O Eternal Lord, are my eyes directed; in thee do I trust: pour not out my life.

But my eyes are to you, O GOD the Lord: in you is my trust; 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 snares which they have laid for me, and 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 with escape.