Psalms 141

Let my prayer rise like incense

A Psalm of David. I call upon You, O LORD; come quickly to me. Hear my voice when I call to You.a ²May my prayer be set before You like incense, my uplifted hands like the evening offering.b ³Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips.c

⁴Do not let my heart be drawn to any evil thing or take part in works of wickedness with men who do iniquity; let me not feast on their delicacies.d ⁵Let the righteous man strike me; let his rebuke be an act of loving devotion. It is oil for my head; let me not refuse it. For my prayer is ever against the deeds of the wicked.e ⁶When their rulers are thrown down from the cliffs, the people will listen to my words, for they are pleasant.

⁷As when one plows and breaks up the soil, so our bones have been scattered at the mouth of Sheol. ⁸But my eyes are fixed on You, O GOD the Lord. In You I seek refuge; do not leave my soul defenseless.f ⁹Keep me from the snares they have laid for me, and from the lures of evildoers.

¹⁰Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by in safety.