Psalms 141
1 A Psalm of David. LORD, I cry to thee: make haste to me; give ear to my voice, when I cry to thee.
“A psalm of David.” O Lord, I call thee, hasten unto me: give ear unto my voice, when I call unto thee.
2 Let my prayer be set forth before thee [as] incense; [and] the lifting up of my hands [as] the evening sacrifice.
May my prayer be valued as incense before thee, the lifting up of my hands, as the evening offering.
3 Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.
Set, O Lord, a watch unto my mouth: keep a guard at the door of my lips.
4 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.
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.
5 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.
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.
6 When their judges are overthrown in stony places, they shall hear my words; for they are sweet.
Are their judges fallen down through means of a rock: then will they listen to my words; for they are pleasant.
7 Our bones are scattered at the grave's mouth, as when one cutteth and cleaveth [wood] upon the earth. (Sheol h7585)
As when one cutteth in and splitteth open the earth: so are our bones scattered for the mouth of the grave. (Sheol h7585)
8 But my eyes [are] to thee, O GOD the LORD: in thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute.
For unto thee, O Eternal Lord, are my eyes directed; in thee do I trust: pour not out my life.
9 Keep me from the snare [which] they have laid for me, and the gins of the workers of iniquity.
Guard me from the power of the snare which they have laid for me, and the traps of the wrong-doers.
10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst I escape.
Let the wicked fall into their own nets, altogether—while I pass safely by.
