Psalm 141

Contemporary English Version

(A psalm by David.)

A Prayer for the Lord's Protection

¹I pray to you, Lord!
Please listen when I pray
    and hurry to help me.
²^(A) Think of my prayer
    as sweet-smelling incense,
and think of my lifted hands
    as an evening sacrifice.

³Help me to guard my words
    whenever I say something.
⁴Don'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.

⁵Let 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.
⁶Everyone will admit
    that I was right
when their rulers are thrown
    down a rocky cliff,
⁷and their bones lie scattered
like crushed rocks
    on top of a grave.^[a]

⁸You are my Lord and God,
and I look to you for safety.
    Don't let me be harmed.
⁹Protect me from the traps
    of those violent people,
¹⁰and make them fall
into their own traps
    while you help me escape.