Psalms 141

1 A psalm of David. Lord, I call to you: hasten, to me, attend to my voice, when I call to you.

A Psalm by David. LORD, I have called on you. Come to me quickly! Listen to my voice when I call to you.

2 Let my prayer be presented as incense before you, and my uplifted hands as the evening meal-offering.

Let my prayer be set before you like incense; the lifting up of my hands like the evening sacrifice.

3 Set, O Lord, a watch on my mouth, put a guard on the door of my lips.

Set a watch, LORD, before my mouth. Keep the door of my lips.

4 Incline not my heart to an evil matter, to busy myself in deeds of wickedness, in company with workers of evil: never may I partake of their dainties.

Don’t incline my heart to any evil thing, to practise deeds of wickedness with men who work iniquity. Don’t let me eat of their delicacies.

5 A wound or reproof from a good person in kindness is oil which my head shall never refuse. In their misfortune my prayer is still with them.

Let the righteous strike me, it is kindness; let him reprove me, it is like oil on the head; don’t let my head refuse it; Yet my prayer is always against evil deeds.

6 Abandoned they are to the hands of their judges: they shall learn that my words are true.

Their judges are thrown down by the sides of the rock. They will hear my words, for they are well spoken.

7 Like stones on a country road cleft and broken so lie our bones scattered for Death to devour. (Sheol h7585)

“As when one ploughs and breaks up the earth, our bones are scattered at the mouth of Sheol.” (Sheol h7585)

8 But my eyes are turned towards you, O Lord. Do not pour out my life, for in you I take refuge.

For my eyes are on you, LORD, the Lord. I take refuge in you. Don’t leave my soul destitute.

9 Keep me safe from the trap they have laid for me, from the snares of the workers of trouble.

Keep me from the snare which they have laid for me, from the traps of the workers of iniquity.

10 Into their own nets let wicked people fall; while I pass by in safety.

Let the wicked fall together into their own nets while I pass by.