Psalm 141 - Contemporary English Version Interconfessional Edition

A Prayer for the Lord 's Protection

(A psalm by David.)

¹ I pray to you, Lord! Please listen when I pray and hurry to help me.

² Think of my prayer as sweet-smelling incense, and think of my lifted hands as an evening sacrifice.

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

⁴ Don'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.

⁵ Let 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.

⁶ Everyone will admit that I was right when their rulers are thrown down a rocky cliff,

⁷ and their bones lie scattered like crushed rocks on top of a grave.

⁸ You are my Lord and God, and I look to you for safety. Don't let me be harmed.

⁹ Protect me from the traps of those violent people,

¹⁰ and make them fall into their own traps while you help me escape.