Psalm 141

Give Ear to My Voice

1. A Psalm of David. 1 O Lord, I call upon you; hasten to me! 1 Give ear to my voice when I call to you!

2. Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, 2 and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!

3. Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; 3 keep watch over the door of my lips!

4. Do not let my heart incline to any evil, 4 to busy myself with wicked deeds 4 in company with men who work iniquity, 4 and let me not eat of their delicacies!

5. Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness; 5 let him rebuke me—it is oil for my head; 5 let my head not refuse it. 5 Yet my prayer is continually against their evil deeds.

6. When their judges are thrown over the cliff,[a] 6 then they shall hear my words, for they are pleasant.

7. As when one plows and breaks up the earth, 7 so shall our bones be scattered at the mouth of Sheol.[b]

8. But my eyes are toward you, O God, my Lord; 8 in you I seek refuge; leave me not defenseless![c]

9. Keep me from the trap that they have laid for me 9 and from the snares of evildoers!

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

Footnotes:
a. Psalm 141:6: Or When their judges fall into the hands of the Rock
b. Psalm 141:7: The meaning of the Hebrew in verses 6, 7 is uncertain
c. Psalm 141:8: Hebrew refuge; do not pour out my life!