Psalms 141:1-10
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:a 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; leaveb 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.c
Contents: Prayer for God's favorable acceptance and powerful assistance.
Characters: God, David.
Conclusion: Though the snares be placed by the enemy with ever so much subtlety, God can, and will, secure His praying people from being taken in them.
Key Word: Keeping, Psalms 141:9.
Strong Verses: Psalms 141:3; Psalms 141:8.
Striking Facts: Psalms 141:2. Christ in the evening of the world, offered up Himself a sacrifice that a way of approach might be made for the believer into the Holy of Holies. It was the fire under the incense that brought out its sweetness it is the Holy Spirit who offers fragrant prayer to God. Romans 8:26-27. The fire, however, was from the blood-sprinkled altar, and apart from Christ's atonement, no acceptable prayer can be offered. Hebrews 10:19-20.