Psalms 141

(A psalm by David.)

A Prayer for the Lord’s Protection

1 I pray to you, Lord!

Please listen when I pray

and hurry to help me.

2 *Rev 5.8. Think of my prayer

as sweet-smelling incense,

and think of my lifted hands

as an evening sacrifice.

3 Help me to guard my words

whenever I say something.

4 Don’t let me want to do evil

or waste my time doing wrong

with wicked people.

Don’t let me even taste

the good things they offer.

5 Let your faithful people

correct and punish me.

My prayers condemn the deeds

of those who do wrong,

so don’t let me be friends

with any of them.

6 Everyone will admit

that I was right

when their rulers are thrown

down a rocky cliff,

7 and their bones lie scattered

like crushed rocks

on top of a grave.*141.5-7 Let … grave: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verses 5-7.

8 You are my Lord and God,

and I look to you for safety.

Don’t let me be harmed.

9 Protect me from the traps

of those violent people,

10 and make them fall

into their own traps

while you help me escape.