“Lord, I call upon You; hurry to me!
Listen to my voice when I call to You!
May my prayer be counted as incense before You;
The raising of my hands as the evening offering.”

“Set a guard, Lord, over my mouth;
Keep watch over the door of my lips.
Do not incline my heart to any evil thing,
To practice deeds of wickedness
With people who do wrong;
And may I not taste their delicacies.”

“May the righteous strike me—it is mercy;
And may he rebuke me—it is oil for the head;
My head shall not refuse it,
For my prayer is still against their evil deeds.”

“Their judges are thrown down by the sides of the rock,
And they hear my words, for they are pleasant.
As when one plows and breaks open the earth,
Our bones have been scattered at the mouth of Sheol.”

“For my eyes are toward You, God, the Lord;
In You I take refuge;
Do not leave me defenseless.
Keep me from the trap which they have set for me,
And from the snares of those who practice injustice.
May the wicked fall into their own nets,
While I pass by safely.”

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Context and Meaning

Psalm 141, written by David, is a prayer of urgency and humility. It blends worship, moral discipline, and dependence on God in a time of pressure.

David calls upon the Lord swiftly, seeking not only deliverance from enemies but also purity of speech and integrity of heart. He prays for the Lord’s help to avoid temptation, to receive correction humbly, and to be preserved from evil influences.

This psalm beautifully portrays a heart that desires holiness as much as safety.

Key Themes:

1. Prayer as Worship: Prayer rises like incense and offerings before God (v. 1–2).
2. Guarding the Tongue: Asking God to protect speech from sin (v. 3).
3. Purity of Heart: Seeking to avoid evil desires and associations (v. 4).
4. Correction by the Righteous: Welcoming rebuke as mercy and anointing (v. 5).
5. Protection from Evil Traps: Trusting God for safety amid the snares of the wicked (v. 8–10).

Reflection and Impact

Psalm 141 reveals that true godliness involves both prayerful dependence and moral vigilance:

• Prayer is a sweet aroma to God – “Let my prayer be counted as incense” (v. 2) recalls Revelation 5:8: the prayers of the saints rise as incense before the throne.
• Words need divine guarding – “Set a guard over my mouth” (v. 3) echoes James 3:2: if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is perfect.
• A pure heart resists temptation – “Do not incline my heart to any evil thing” (v. 4) reflects Psalm 19:13: keep Your servant from presumptuous sins.
• Correction is a blessing – “Let the righteous strike me—it is kindness” (v. 5) connects to Proverbs 27:6: faithful are the wounds of a friend.
• God protects from snares – “Keep me from the trap they have set for me” (v. 9) aligns with Psalm 91:3: He delivers you from the snare of the fowler.

Application

• Pray with Sincerity and Urgency: Let prayer be your first response, not your last resort.
• Guard Your Speech: Ask the Lord to sanctify your words daily.
• Seek Purity of Heart: Avoid the subtle temptations that lead to compromise.
• Receive Godly Correction: Welcome the reproof of the righteous as grace, not offense.
• Trust God’s Protection: Rest in His power to keep you safe from the snares of evil.

Closing Thought

Psalm 141 teaches us to pray not only for deliverance from enemies but also from ourselves—from careless words, wandering hearts, and prideful resistance to correction.
“Set a guard, Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.”