Study

Psalm 141

Prayer for Preservation from Evil

A Psalm of David.

1

I call upon you, O L ord; come quickly to me;

give ear to my voice when I call to you.

2

Let my prayer be counted as incense before you,

and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice.

3

Set a guard over my mouth, O L ord;

keep watch over the door of my lips.

4

Do not turn my heart to any evil,

to busy myself with wicked deeds

in company with those who work iniquity;

do not let me eat of their delicacies.

5

Let the righteous strike me;

let the faithful correct me.

Never let the oil of the wicked anoint my head,

for my prayer is continually against their wicked deeds.

6

When they are given over to those who shall condemn them,

then they shall learn that my words were pleasant.

7

Like a rock that one breaks apart and shatters on the land,

so shall their bones be strewn at the mouth of Sheol.

8

But my eyes are turned toward you, O G od, my Lord;

in you I seek refuge; do not leave me defenseless.

9

Keep me from the trap that they have laid for me,

and from the snares of evildoers.

10

Let the wicked fall into their own nets,

while I alone escape.