David
Psalm 141
A Psalm of David.
Scripture (KJV)
1Lord, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee.
2Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
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.
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 cleaveth and heweth wood upon the earth.
8But mine eyes are unto thee, O God the Lord: in thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute.
9Keep me from the snares which they have laid for me, and the gins of the workers of iniquity.
10Let the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst that I withal escape.
Summary
Psalm 141 is an evening prayer of David, asking that his prayer be received as incense and the lifting of his hands as the evening sacrifice. The heart of the psalm is a striking request for the Lord to guard his speech and his heart: "Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips." David does not want his heart inclined toward evil or his appetite drawn to the dainties of the wicked. He welcomes the correction of the righteous as a kindness, like excellent oil that does not break his head. The psalm acknowledges the real danger of enemies’ snares and nets, but ends with confidence: let the wicked fall into their own nets while he escapes.
The major themes are prayer, speech, sanctification, correction, and protection. The image of prayer as incense and the lifting of hands as the evening sacrifice frames daily devotion as priestly service. Practically, the psalm teaches that the most urgent prayer may be for a guarded mouth and a guarded heart, and that receiving correction is a mark of the godly. The great lesson is that the one whose eyes are fixed on God can trust Him to keep both lips and path.
Key Themes
A Prayer from Psalm 141
Lord, I cry to You; make haste to me, and give ear to my voice. Let my prayer be set before You as incense, and the lifting of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Set a watch before my mouth and keep the door of my lips. Incline not my heart to any evil thing, nor let me eat the dainties of the wicked. Let the righteous reprove me—it is a kindness, an excellent oil that shall not break my head. My eyes are on You, O God the Lord; in You is my trust. Leave not my soul destitute. Keep me from the snares the wicked have laid for me, and let them fall into their own nets while I escape. Guard my words, my heart, and my path this day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Reflection Questions
- 1What would change if I prayed daily, "Set a watch before my mouth"?
- 2How can I receive the reproof of the righteous as "an excellent oil"?
- 3Where am I tempted to eat the "dainties" of the wicked?
- 4How does fixing my eyes on God deliver me from the snares of the enemy?
Related Psalms
Psalm 19
“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.”
God revealed in creation and Scripture, ending in a prayer of surrender.
Read morePsalm 140
“Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man;”
Psalm 140 is a lament of David against violent and deceitful enemies.
Read morePsalm 142
“I cried unto the Lord with my voice; with my voice unto the Lord did I make my supplication.”
Psalm 142 is a maskil of David, composed when he was hiding in a cave—likely during his flight from Saul.
Read morePsalm 39
“I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.”
A meditation on life’s brevity and a prayer for God to spare and forgive.
Read morePsalm 5
“Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation.”
A morning prayer seeking God’s leading and rejoicing in His protection.
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