141
A psalm of David.
1 Lord, I'm calling out to you! Please hurry up and help me! Please listen to me when I cry out to you!
2 May my prayer be like incense before you, my uplifted hands like an evening offering.
3 Lord, make sure I don't say anything I shouldn't—keep a watch over my conversations.
4 Don't let me think about evil things or take part in doing anything wrong with wicked people. I won't join in eating fancy food at their feasts.*
5 Let a good person punish me in love—let them correct me. It will be like an anointing—I won't refuse it. But I still pray against those who do evil.†
6 They shall be thrown down by the power of the rock that judges them, and then they will recognize what I said was true!
7 Just as the earth is broken up by the plow, so shall their bones be scattered at the mouth of Sheol.‡
8 But I'm looking to you, Lord God, for I find protection in you. Don't let me die!
9 Keep me safe from the traps they have set to catch me, from the snares of evil people.
10 Let them fall into their own traps while I pass by unharmed.
* 141:4 This may refer to pagan festivals. † 141:5 The Hebrew in this verse and the next is not clear. ‡ 141:7 The place of the dead. This may mean they do not receive a proper burial.