< 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.
YHWH, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry 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 before thee 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 YHWH, 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 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 )
Our bones are scattered at the grave's mouth, as when one cutteth and cleaveth wood upon the earth. (Sheol )
8 For unto thee, O Eternal Lord, are my eyes directed; in thee do I trust: pour not out my life.
But mine eyes are unto thee, O Elohim YHWH: in thee 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 withal escape.