Psalm 141

English Standard Version

1 A Psalm of David. O Lord, I call upon you; hasten to me! Give ear to my voice when I call to you! (Ps 40:13; Ps 70:5)2 Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice! (Ex 29:41; Ps 28:2; Lu 1:10; Re 5:8; Re 8:3)3 Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips! (Ps 34:13; Mic 7:5)4 Do not let my heart incline to any evil, to busy myself with wicked deeds in company with men who work iniquity, and let me not eat of their delicacies! (Ps 94:4; Ps 119:36; Ps 141:9; Pr 23:6)5 Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness; let him rebuke me—it is oil for my head; let my head not refuse it. Yet my prayer is continually against their evil deeds. (Ps 109:4; Pr 9:8; Pr 19:25; Pr 25:12; Pr 27:6; Ec 7:5)6 When their judges are thrown over the cliff,[1] then they shall hear my words, for they are pleasant. (2Ch 25:12; Lu 4:29)7 As when one plows and breaks up the earth, so shall our bones be scattered at the mouth of Sheol.[2] (Ps 53:5; Eze 37:1)8 But my eyes are toward you, O God, my Lord; in you I seek refuge; leave me not defenseless![3] (Ps 11:1; Ps 25:15)9 Keep me from the trap that they have laid for me and from the snares of evildoers! (Ps 140:5)10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by safely. (Ps 7:15)

Psalm 141

New International Version

1 I call to you, Lord, come quickly to me; hear me when I call to you.2 May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.3 Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.4 Do 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.5 Let 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.6 Their rulers will be thrown down from the cliffs, and the wicked will learn that my words were well spoken.7 They will say, ‘As one ploughs and breaks up the earth, so our bones have been scattered at the mouth of the grave.’8 But my eyes are fixed on you, Sovereign Lord; in you I take refuge – do not give me over to death.9 Keep me safe from the traps set by evildoers, from the snares they have laid for me.10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by in safety.

Psalm 141

King James Version

1 A Psalm of David. LORD, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee.2 Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.3 Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.4 Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties.5 Let 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.6 When their judges are overthrown in stony places, they shall hear my words; for they are sweet.7 Our bones are scattered at the grave' mouth, as when one cutteth and cleaveth wood upon the earth.8 But mine eyes are unto thee, O GOD the Lord: in thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute.9 Keep me from the snares which they have laid for me, and the gins of the workers of iniquity.10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst that I withal escape.

Psalm 141

New International Reader’s Version

1 I call out to you, LORD. Come quickly to help me. Listen to me when I call out to you.2 May my prayer come to you like the sweet smell of incense. When I lift up my hands in prayer, may it be like the evening sacrifice.3 LORD, guard my mouth. Keep watch over the door of my lips.4 Don’t let my heart be drawn to what is evil. Don’t let me join with people who do evil. Don’t let me eat their fancy food.5 If a godly person hit me, it would be an act of kindness. If they would correct me, it would be like pouring olive oil on my head. I wouldn’t say no to it. I will always pray against the things that sinful people do.6 When their rulers are thrown down from the rocky cliffs, those evil people will realise that my words were true.7 They will say, ‘As clumps of dirt are left from ploughing up the ground, so our bones will be scattered near an open grave.’8 But LORD and King, I keep looking to you for help. I go to you for safety. Don’t let me die.9 Keep me from the traps of those who do evil. Save me from the traps they have set for me.10 Let evil people fall into their own nets. But let me go safely on my way.