Psalm 141-142

New International Version

Psalm 141

A psalm of David.

¹I call to you, Lord, come quickly^(A) to me;
hear me^(B) when I call to you.
²May my prayer be set before you like incense;^(C)
may the lifting up of my hands^(D) be like the evening sacrifice.^(E)

³Set a guard over my mouth,^(F) Lord;
    keep watch over the door of my lips.^(G)
⁴Do not let my heart^(H) be drawn to what is evil
    so that I take part in wicked deeds^(I)
along with those who are evildoers;
    do not let me eat their delicacies.^(J)

⁵Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness;
let him rebuke me^(K)—that is oil on my head.^(L)
My head will not refuse it,
for my prayer will still be against the deeds of evildoers.

⁶Their rulers will be thrown down from the cliffs,^(M)
and the wicked will learn that my words were well spoken.
⁷They will say, “As one plows^(N) and breaks up the earth,^(O)
so our bones have been scattered at the mouth^(P) of the grave.”

⁸But my eyes are fixed^(Q) on you, Sovereign Lord;
    in you I take refuge^(R)—do not give me over to death.
⁹Keep me safe^(S) from the traps set by evildoers,^(T)
    from the snares^(U) they have laid for me.
¹⁰Let the wicked fall^(V) into their own nets,
    while I pass by in safety.^(W)

Psalm 142^[a]

A maskil^[b] of David. When he was in the cave.^(X) A prayer.

¹I cry aloud^(Y) to the Lord;
I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy.^(Z)
²I pour out before him my complaint;^(AA)
before him I tell my trouble.^(AB)

³When my spirit grows faint^(AC) within me,
    it is you who watch over my way.
In the path where I walk
    people have hidden a snare for me.
⁴Look and see, there is no one at my right hand;
    no one is concerned for me.
I have no refuge;^(AD)
    no one cares^(AE) for my life.

⁵I cry to you, Lord;
I say, “You are my refuge,^(AF)
my portion^(AG) in the land of the living.”^(AH)

⁶Listen to my cry,^(AI)
    for I am in desperate need;^(AJ)
rescue me^(AK) from those who pursue me,
    for they are too strong^(AL) for me.
⁷Set me free from my prison,^(AM)
    that I may praise your name.^(AN)
Then the righteous will gather about me
    because of your goodness to me.^(AO)