Psalms 141

Let my prayer rise like incense

I call to you, Lord, come quickly to me; hear me when I call to you.a ²May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.b ³Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.c

⁴Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds along with those who are evildoers; do not let me eat their delicacies.d ⁵Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness; let him rebuke me—that is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it, for my prayer will still be against the deeds of evildoers.e ⁶Their rulers will be thrown down from the cliffs, and the wicked will learn that my words were well spoken.

⁷They will say, “As one plows and breaks up the earth, so our bones have been scattered at the mouth of the grave.” ⁸But my eyes are fixed on you, Sovereign Lord; in you I take refuge—do not give me over to death.f ⁹Keep me safe from the traps set by evildoers, from the snares they have laid for me.

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