The Bible — World English Bible
Psalm 141
In brief
Psalm 141 is a prayer of David that opens with an urgent call to the LORD. He asks that his prayer rise to God like incense and his lifted hands like the evening sacrifice. He then asks God to watch over his mouth, his heart and his company, and he accepts the correction of a righteous person as a kindness. Verses 6 and 7 are difficult and their translation is debated. The psalm returns to what matters most: his eyes are fixed on the LORD, his refuge, who can keep him from the trap.
The chapter in 4 parts
1Yahweh, 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. In you, I take refuge. 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.
Key verses
Let my prayer be set before you like incense; the lifting up of my hands like the evening sacrifice.
Incense and the evening sacrifice recall worship at the temple. David asks that his prayer, without any visible sacrifice, be worth the same before God.
Set a watch, Yahweh, before my mouth. Keep the door of my lips.
One of the most quoted verses of the psalm. David knows he cannot master his words alone and asks God to post a watchman at the door of his lips.
Let 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.
Here the righteous person who corrects is seen as a blessing, like oil on the head. Accepting kind correction is a sign of wisdom.
For my eyes are on you, Yahweh, the Lord. In you, I take refuge. Don’t leave my soul destitute.
The psalm returns to what is essential: eyes fixed on God. Refuge is found not in defending yourself but in the Lord himself.
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Frequently asked questions about Psalm 141
What does the prayer to set a guard over my mouth (Psalm 141:3) mean?
It is a prayer asking God to help control our words. David admits that he can speak too fast, criticize or get carried away. He asks for a guard at the door of his lips. The verse invites us to rely on God for self-control rather than on willpower alone.
How can I pray with Psalm 141?
Pray it in the evening, like the evening sacrifice of verse 2. Ask God to watch over your mouth (verse 3), your heart and your company (verse 4). Accept being corrected by a wise person. Finish with verse 8 by entrusting your soul to God and taking refuge in him.
Who wrote Psalm 141?
The title credits David. The text does not say which episode of his life it belongs to, but it reflects a time when he feels surrounded by people with bad intentions. It is often linked to evening prayer because of the image of incense and the evening sacrifice.
Articles quoting Psalm 141
World English Bible translation — public domain.