← The Psalm world
Illustration for Psalm 141: Guard My Words

Psalm 141

Guard My Words

When AfraidComfortProtection

David prays for God to guard his mouth and the door of his lips so he doesn't say something sinful. He asks God not to let his heart be pulled toward evil things. He compares his prayer to incense rising up to God — a sweet and pleasing offering.

  1. 1O LORD, I call to You; come quickly to me. Hear my voice when I call to You.
  2. 2May my prayer be set before You like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.
  3. 3Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips.
  4. 4Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in wicked deeds with men who are evildoers; let me not eat of their delicacies.
  5. 5Let the righteous man strike me — it is a kindness; let him rebuke me — it is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it, for my prayer is still against the deeds of evildoers.
  6. 6Their rulers are overthrown on the rocks, and they will learn that my words were kind.
  7. 7As when a man plows and breaks up the earth, so our bones have been scattered at the mouth of the grave.
  8. 8But my eyes are fixed on You, O Sovereign LORD; in You I take refuge — do not give me over to death.
  9. 9Keep me from the snares they have laid for me, from the traps set by evildoers.
  10. 10Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass safely by.

What it means

David asks God to put a guard on his mouth, like a doorkeeper deciding what gets out. That is a wise prayer, because words leave in a second and can take years to mend. It is worth asking for help before you speak, not after.

A little prayer

God, please put a guard on my mouth so I do not say things that hurt people. Keep my heart from wanting the wrong things. Let my prayer rise up to You like sweet smoke. Amen.

Memory verse

“Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips.”

Psalm 141:3 (BSB)

It asks for help with the thing most people only regret afterwards.

Talk about it

Questions with no single right answer — for a family table or a Sunday-school circle.

  1. David asks God to put a guard on his mouth. What would that guard stop?
  2. He asks not to be drawn into doing wrong with people who do it easily. How does that happen?
  3. He says it would be a kindness to be corrected by someone good. Do you agree?
  4. What is something you wish you had not said?

Try this

The door of the lips

Try a whole hour where nobody says anything unkind, sarcastic or complaining. It is harder than it sounds. Read verse 3 at the start of the hour.

You will need: A timer.

Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB)