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 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 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 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 h7585)

Our bones are scattered at the grave’s mouth, as when one cutteth and cleaveth [wood] upon 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 mine eyes [are] unto thee, O GOD the Lord: 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.