Psalms 141

1Of understanding for David, A prayer when he was in the cave.

1Lord, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee.

2I cried to the Lord with my voice: with my voice I made supplication to the Lord.

2Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

3In his sight I pour out my prayer, and before him I declare my trouble:

3Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.

4When my spirit failed me, then thou knewest my paths. In this way wherein I walked, they have hidden a snare for me.

4Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties.

5I looked on my right hand, and beheld, and there was no one that would know me. Flight hath failed me: and there is no one that hath regard to my soul.

5Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: 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.

6I cried to thee, O Lord: I said: Thou art my hope, my portion in the land of the living.

6When their judges are overthrown in stony places, they shall hear my words; for they are sweet.

7Attend to my supplication: for I am brought very low. Deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.

7Our bones are scattered at the grave’s mouth, as when one cutteth and cleaveth wood upon the earth.

8Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the just wait for me, until thou reward me.

8But mine eyes are unto thee, O God the Lord: in thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute.

9(not in this translation)

9Keep me from the snares which they have laid for me, and the gins of the workers of iniquity.

10(not in this translation)

10Let the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst that I withal escape.