Psalms 141

1 A Psalm. Of David. Lord, I have made my cry to you; come to me quickly; give ear to my voice, when it goes up to you.

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

2 Let my prayer be ordered before you like a sweet smell; and let the lifting up of my hands be like the evening offering.

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

3 O Lord, keep a watch over my mouth; keep the door of my lips.

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

4 Keep my heart from desiring any evil thing, or from taking part in the sins of the evil-doers with men who do wrong: and let me have no part in their good things.

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.

5 Let the upright give me punishment; and let the god-fearing man put me in the right way; but I will not let the oil of sinners come on my head: when they do evil I will give myself to prayer.

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.

6 When destruction comes to their judges by the side of the rock, they will give ear to my words, for they are sweet.

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

7 Our bones are broken up at the mouth of the underworld, as the earth is broken by the plough. (Sheol h7585)

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

8 But my eyes are turned to you, O Lord God: my hope is in you; let not my soul be given up to death.

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

9 Keep me from the net which they have put down for me, and from the designs of the workers of evil.

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

10 Let the sinners be taken in the nets which they themselves have put down, while I go free.

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