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Psalm 141
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

Psalm 141

Prayer for Preservation from Evil

A Psalm of David.

1 I call upon you, O Lord; come quickly to me;
    give ear to my voice when I call to you.(A)
2 Let my prayer be counted as incense before you
    and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice.(B)

3 Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord;
    keep watch over the door of my lips.
4 Do not turn my heart to any evil,
    to busy myself with wicked deeds
in company with those who work iniquity;
    do not let me eat of their delicacies.(C)

5 Let the righteous strike me;
    let the faithful correct me.
Never let the oil of the wicked anoint my head,[a]
    for my prayer is continually[b] against their wicked deeds.(D)
6 When they are given over to those who shall condemn them,
    then they shall learn that my words were pleasant.
7 Like a rock that one breaks apart and shatters on the land,
    so shall their bones be strewn at the mouth of Sheol.[c](E)

8 But my eyes are turned toward you, O God, my Lord;
    in you I seek refuge; do not leave me defenseless.(F)
9 Keep me from the trap that they have laid for me
    and from the snares of evildoers.(G)
10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets,
    while I alone escape.(H)

Footnotes

  1. 141.5 Gk: Meaning of Heb uncertain
  2. 141.5 Cn: Heb for continually and my prayer
  3. 141.7 Meaning of Heb of 141.5–7 is uncertain
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Psalm 141
Revised Standard Version

Prayer for Preservation from Evil

A Psalm of David.

141 I call upon thee, O Lord; make haste to me!
    Give ear to my voice, when I call to thee!
2 Let my prayer be counted as incense before thee,
    and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice!

3 Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord,
    keep watch over the door of my lips!
4 Incline not my heart to any evil,
    to busy myself with wicked deeds
in company with men who work iniquity;
    and let me not eat of their dainties!

5 Let a good man strike or rebuke me in kindness,
    but let the oil of the wicked never anoint my head;[a]
    for my prayer is continually[b] against their wicked deeds.
6 When they are given over to those who shall condemn them,
    then they shall learn that the word of the Lord is true.
7 As a rock which one cleaves and shatters on the land,
    so shall their bones be strewn at the mouth of Sheol.[c]

8 But my eyes are toward thee, O Lord God;
    in thee I seek refuge; leave me not defenseless!
9 Keep me from the trap which they have laid for me,
    and from the snares of evildoers!
10 Let the wicked together fall into their own nets,
    while I escape.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 141:5 Gk: Heb obscure
  2. Psalm 141:5 Cn: Heb for continually and my prayer
  3. Psalm 141:7 The Hebrew of verses 5–7 is obscure
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New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVUE)

New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Revised Standard Version (RSV)

Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.