Psalms 141

A Psalm of David.

1LORD, I cry to thee: make haste to me; give ear to my voice, when I cry to thee. 2Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.1 3Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. 4Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties.

5Let 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.2 6When their judges are overthrown in stony places, they shall hear my words; for they are sweet. 7Our bones are scattered at the grave’s mouth, as when one cutteth and cleaveth wood upon the earth. 8But my eyes are to thee, O GOD the Lord: in thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute.3 9Keep me from the traps which they have laid for me, and the snares of the workers of iniquity. 10Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I escape.4