The Lord Will

Psalms

Psalm 141

KJV

1

Lord, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee.

2

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

3

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

4

Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties.

5

Let 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.

6

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

7

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

8

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

9

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

10

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

Overview

Psalm 141 asks God to hear urgent prayer, guard the speaker’s mouth and heart, help him receive righteous correction, and protect him from traps while severe images of judgment are entrusted to God.

Setting and context

A Davidic prayer for disciplined speech, moral restraint, teachability, and protection. Its violent imagery must not be turned into permission for abuse or private retaliation.

Themes

Prayer like incense · Guarded speech · Guarded desire · Righteous correction · Judgment entrusted to God · Refuge from traps

Reflection

Pray honestly, practice restraint in speech and desire, receive truthful correction without normalizing abuse, and seek safety without revenge.

Reading notes

The verse values faithful correction; it does not authorize violence, humiliation, coercion, or unsafe relationships. The severe imagery remains prayer and lament, not a delegation of private violence.

Key passages

Psalm 141:2: Prayer is pictured as incense and lifted hands as evening offering. Psalm 141:3: The speaker asks God to guard his speech. Psalm 141:8: Trust is directed toward God amid danger.

Questions readers ask

Does Psalm 141 command physical punishment as correction? No. Its language about correction must not be used to legitimize abuse or coercion.