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Illustration for Psalm 141: Guard My Words

Psalm 141

Guard My Words

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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.

Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB)