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Scripture Mapping

Psalms 141

World English Bible

WEB

1A Psalm by David. Yahweh, I have called on you. Come to me quickly! Listen to my voice when I call to you. 2Let my prayer be set before you like incense; the lifting up of my hands like the evening sacrifice. 3Set a watch, Yahweh, before my mouth. Keep the door of my lips. 4Don’t incline my heart to any evil thing, to practice deeds of wickedness with men who work iniquity. Don’t let me eat of their delicacies. 5Let the righteous strike me, it is kindness; let him reprove me, it is like oil on the head; don’t let my head refuse it; Yet my prayer is always against evil deeds. 6Their judges are thrown down by the sides of the rock. They will hear my words, for they are well spoken. 7“As when one plows and breaks up the earth, our bones are scattered at the mouth of Sheol.” 8For my eyes are on you, Yahweh, the Lord. I take refuge in you. Don’t leave my soul destitute. 9Keep me from the snare which they have laid for me, from the traps of the workers of iniquity. 10Let the wicked fall together into their own nets while I pass by.

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

Psalms 141 is a heartfelt prayer of David, expressing his deep desire for God's guidance and protection. The psalm opens with David calling out to the Lord, asking Him to hear his prayer and to let his cry come before Him like incense. This imagery of incense symbolizes the sweetness and acceptability of his prayers to God, as seen in Revelation 5:8, where the prayers of the saints are likened to incense before the throne of God. David seeks to maintain a life of holiness, asking God to set a guard over his mouth and to keep watch over the door of his lips, reflecting the importance of speaking wisely and righteously, as echoed in James 1:26 regarding the control of the tongue.

In the latter part of the psalm, David expresses his desire for accountability and correction, even if it comes through the rebuke of the righteous. He understands that such discipline is a sign of love and care from God, aligning with the teaching found in Proverbs 27:6 about the faithfulness of wounds from a friend. David also acknowledges the dangers of the wicked and prays for deliverance from their snares, recognizing that he is in a spiritual battle. The psalm concludes with a plea for God to keep him safe from the traps set by the wicked, affirming his trust in the Lord's ultimate protection and justice. This chapter serves as a reminder of the importance of prayer, self-control, and reliance on God in the face of temptation and adversity.

Overall, Psalms 141 encourages believers to seek God's presence in their lives, to be mindful of their words, and to embrace correction as a means of spiritual growth. #David #Psalms #Prayer #Incense #GuardYourMouth

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Referenced by

  1. Psalms 140:4v9Psalm 140:4 is a prayer for protection from the hands of the wicked, similar to Psalm 141:9, where David asks to be kept from the snares of evildoers.
  2. Proverbs 27:6v5Proverbs 27:6 highlights the value of faithful wounds from a friend over deceitful kisses from an enemy. Psalm 141:5 similarly values the righteous rebuke as a kindness.

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