Psalm 141

New International Reader's Version

A psalm of David.

141 I call out to you, Lord. Come quickly to help me.
Listen to me when I call out to you.
²May my prayer come to you like the sweet smell of incense.
When I lift up my hands in prayer, may it be like the evening sacrifice.

³Lord, guard my mouth.
    Keep watch over the door of my lips.
⁴Don’t let my heart be drawn to what is evil.
    Don’t let me join with people who do evil.
    Don’t let me eat their fancy food.

⁵If a godly person hit me, it would be an act of kindness.
If they would correct me, it would be like pouring olive oil on my head.
I wouldn’t say no to it.

I will always pray against the things that sinful people do.
⁶    When their rulers are thrown down from the rocky cliffs,
    those evil people will realize that my words were true.
⁷They will say, “As clumps of dirt are left from plowing up the ground,
    so our bones will be scattered near an open grave.”

⁸But Lord and King, I keep looking to you for help.
    I go to you for safety. Don’t let me die.
⁹Keep me from the traps of those who do evil.
    Save me from the traps they have set for me.
¹⁰Let evil people fall into their own nets.
    But let me go safely on my way.