Psalms 141 ASV
Summary: A psalm of David framed as an evening prayer, opening with the memorable image "Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice" (v. 2). He asks God to guard his own mouth and heart first — "set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips" (v. 3) — preferring the honest rebuke of the righteous to the flattering "oil" of the wicked, which he refuses to let anoint his head (v. 5). It closes asking that his eyes remain fixed on God even while surrounded by the snares of evildoers.
1A Psalm of David. Jehovah, I have called upon thee; make haste unto me: Give ear unto my voice, when I call unto thee.
2Let my prayer be set forth as incense before thee; The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
3Set a watch, O Jehovah, before my mouth; Keep the door of my lips.
4Incline not my heart to any evil thing, To practise deeds of wickedness With men that work iniquity: And let me not eat of their dainties.
5Let the righteous smite me, it shall be a kindness; And let him reprove me, it shall be as oil upon the head; Let not my head refuse it: For even in their wickedness shall my prayer continue.
6Their judges are thrown down by the sides of the rock; And they shall hear my words; for they are sweet.
7As when one ploweth and cleaveth the earth, Our bones are scattered at the mouth of Sheol.
8For mine eyes are unto thee, O Jehovah the Lord: In thee do I take refuge; leave not my soul destitute.
9Keep me from the snare which they have laid for me, And from the gins of the workers of iniquity.
10Let the wicked fall into their own nets, Whilst that I withal escape.
Also read this chapter in: KJV, WEB, WYC, GNV, WBT, DBY, YLT