Psalm 141

Protection from Sin and Sinners

A psalm of David.

Lord, I call on you; hurry to help me.

Listen to my voice when I call on you.a

2May my prayer be set before you as incense,a

the raising of my hands as the evening offering.b

3Lord, set up a guard for my mouth;

keep watch at the door of my lips.a

4Do not let my heart turn to any evil thing

or perform wicked acts with evildoers.

Do not let me feast on their delicacies.a

5Let the righteous one strike me —

it is an act of faithful love;

let him rebuke me —

it is oil for my head;

let meA not refuse it.a

Even now my prayer is against

the evil acts of the wicked.B b

6When their rulersA will be thrown off

the sides of a cliff,

the peopleB will listen to my words,

for they are pleasing.a

7As when one plows and breaks up the soil,

turning up rocks,

so ourA bones have been scattered

at the mouth of Sheol.a

8But my eyes look to you, Lord, my Lord.

I seek refuge in you; do not let me die.a a

9Protect me from the trap they have set for me,

and from the snares of evildoers.a

10Let the wicked fall into their own nets,

while I pass by safely.a