A Prayer for Guarded Speech, Pure Worship, and Deliverance from Evil.

Psalm 141 is David’s prayer for urgent, reverent access to God—asking that his worship and words be acceptable, like an evening sacrifice. He pleads for guarded speech and a protected heart, so he will not be drawn into sinful companionship or “dainty” temptations. He welcomes righteous correction as a mercy, while continuing in prayer against evil. The psalm also faces real danger and injustice, yet ends with steadfast trust: David’s eyes remain on the Lord GOD, and he asks for preservation from traps and violent men.

Psalms 141:1 – 141:10

  1 A Psalm of David. Lord, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee.
  2 Let my prayer be set forth before thee [as] incense; [and] the lifting up of my hands [as] the evening sacrifice.
  3 Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.
  4 Incline not my heart to [any] evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties.
  5 Let 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.
  6 When their judges are overthrown in stony places, they shall hear my words; for they are sweet.
  7 Our bones are scattered at the grave’s mouth, as when one cutteth and cleaveth [wood] upon the earth.
  8 But mine eyes [are] unto thee, O God the Lord: in thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute.
  9 Keep me from the snares [which] they have laid for me, and the gins of the workers of iniquity.
  10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst that I withal escape.