Psalms
Summary
Psalm 141 is an evening prayer in which David asks for God's presence and for the strength to maintain personal integrity in a world of temptation. He uses the imagery of incense and the evening sacrifice to describe his prayer rising to God. The psalmist specifically requests guarding for his mouth and his heart, so that he is not drawn into the "evil deeds" of the wicked or tempted by their "delicacies." Even when facing judgement or rebuke, David finds hope in God, keeping his eyes fixed on the Sovereign LORD as his refuge and protection from the snares set by evildoers.
I call to you, LORD; come quickly to me. Hear my voice when I call to you.
May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.
Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.
Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds along with those who are evildoers; do not let me eat their delicacies.
Let a righteous man strike me, that is a kindness; let him rebuke me, that is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it, for my prayer will still be against the deeds of evildoers.
Their rulers will be thrown down from the cliffs, and the wicked will learn that my words were well spoken.
They will say, "As one plows and breaks up the earth, so our bones have been scattered at the mouth of the grave."
But my eyes are fixed on you, Sovereign LORD; in you I take refuge, do not give me over to death.
Keep me safe from the snares they have set for me, from the traps set by evildoers.
Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by in safety.