Psalms 141

King James Version

Full text for Psalms Chapter 141

1¶ A Psalm of David. LORD, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee.

2Let my prayer be set forth before thee [as] incense; [and] the lifting up of my hands [as] the evening sacrifice.

3Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.

4Incline not my heart to [any] evil thing, to practise wicked works 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] an excellent oil, [which] shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also [shall be] in their calamities.

6When their judges are overthrown in stony places, they shall hear my words; for they are sweet.

7Our bones are scattered at the grave's mouth, as when one cutteth and cleaveth [wood] upon the earth.

8But mine eyes [are] unto thee, O GOD the Lord: in thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute.

9Keep me from the snares [which] they have laid for me, and the gins of the workers of iniquity.

10Let the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst that I withal escape.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

David earnestly cries to the Lord, seeking swift hearing and acceptance of his prayer as a sacrifice. He asks for divine guardianship over his speech and heart, lest he be drawn to evil or partake in the ways of the wicked. Trusting in God, he seeks deliverance from their snares, praying that the wicked themselves fall into their own traps while he escapes.

Medium Summary

In this psalm, David makes an urgent plea to the Lord, desiring his prayer to be received as an acceptable offering, like incense and the evening sacrifice. He requests divine control over his mouth and lips, and protection from any inclination towards evil or participation in the deeds and pleasures of the unrighteous. David expresses a preference for the reproof of the righteous, viewing it as a beneficial kindness and healing oil. He anticipates a future where the wicked's leaders are overthrown, and his words will be recognized as true and sweet. Despite a vivid description of profound distress, he reaffirms his unwavering trust in God, imploring not to be left desolate. His petition concludes with a fervent request for escape from the traps laid by the workers of iniquity, and for them to be ensnared by their own devices.

Long Summary

Psalm 141 opens with David's fervent cry to the Lord, imploring Him to make haste and give ear to his voice. He desires his prayer to ascend before God as fragrant incense, and the lifting of his hands to be accepted as the evening sacrifice. A significant portion of his plea focuses on moral integrity, as he asks the Lord to set a watch over his mouth and keep the door of his lips, preventing him from speaking amiss. Furthermore, he prays that his heart not be inclined to any evil thing, nor to engage in wicked works with those who practice iniquity, specifically requesting not to partake of their "dainties." David demonstrates a profound spiritual discernment by stating that the smiting and reproof of the righteous would be a kindness and an "excellent oil" that would not harm him. He also expresses a prayer for the righteous even in their calamities. He foresees a time when the judges of the wicked will be overthrown in "stony places," and then his words, perhaps of warning or truth, will be heard and found "sweet." Despite a stark image of extreme desolation, where "Our bones are scattered at the grave's mouth," David steadfastly declares his unwavering trust in "GOD the Lord." He implores God not to leave his soul destitute, but to keep him from the insidious snares and gins laid by the workers of iniquity. The psalm culminates in a powerful imprecation, asking that the wicked fall into their own nets, while he, by divine intervention, escapes their machinations.

Core Concepts

  • Prayer as SacrificeDavid desires his prayer and the lifting of his hands to be accepted by God as incense and the evening sacrifice, signifying devotion and a plea for divine acceptance.
  • Guarding the Mouth and HeartDavid prays for divine control over his speech and inner desires, asking God to prevent him from speaking evil or inclining his heart towards wicked works and the ways of the unrighteous.
  • Value of Righteous ReproofHe considers correction from the righteous to be a kindness and a beneficial "excellent oil," indicating a humble spirit open to constructive criticism for spiritual growth.
  • Trust in God Amidst DistressDespite describing a state of extreme desolation, David firmly declares his trust in God, looking to Him as his only hope and seeking protection from being left destitute.
  • Deliverance from SnaresDavid earnestly prays for God to keep him safe from the traps and "gins" laid by the workers of iniquity, seeking divine intervention to escape their malicious plots.
  • Justice for the WickedThe psalmist expresses a desire for the wicked to fall into their own nets, while he is divinely enabled to escape their schemes, reflecting a plea for righteous judgment.