Psalms 141
A prayer for a guarded mouth and rescue from evildoers' snares.
Psalm 141 asks that prayer rise "as incense" and that lifted hands be received like "the evening sacrifice," a request for a guarded mouth and heart following the plea for justice in Psalms 140. The psalmist even welcomes correction from the righteous as a kindness.
A Psalm, by David. O Jehovah, I have called Thee, haste to me, Give ear `to' my voice when I call to Thee.
My prayer is prepared -- incense before Thee, The lifting up of my hands -- the evening present.
Set, O Jehovah, a watch for my mouth, Watch Thou over the door of my lips.
Incline not my heart to an evil thing, To do habitually actions in wickedness, With men working iniquity, Yea, I eat not of their pleasant things.
The righteous doth beat me `in' kindness. And doth reprove me, Oil of the head my head disalloweth not, For still my prayer `is' about their vexations.
Their judges have been released by the sides of a rock, And they have heard my sayings, For they have been pleasant.
As one tilling and ripping up in the land, Have our bones been scattered at the command of Saul.
But to Thee, O Jehovah, my Lord, `are' mine eyes, In Thee I have trusted, Make not bare my soul.
Keep me from the gin they laid for me, Even snares of workers of iniquity.
The wicked fall in their nets together, till I pass over!