Psalm 141 — Help & Deliverance

A Psalm of David.

1 LORD, I have called upon thee; make haste unto me:
Give ear unto my voice, when I call unto thee.
2 Let my prayer be set forth as incense before thee;
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 be occupied in deeds of wickedness
With men that work iniquity:
And let me not eat of their dainties.
5 Let the righteous smite me, it shall be a kindness;
And let him reprove me, it shall be as oil upon the head;
Let not my head refuse it:
For even in their wickedness shall my prayer continue.
6 Their judges are thrown down by the sides of the rock;
And they shall hear my words; for they are sweet.
7 As when one ploweth and cleaveth the earth,
Our bones are scattered at the grave's mouth.
8 For mine eyes are unto thee, O GODthe Lord:
In thee do I put my trust; leave not my soul destitute.
9 Keep me from the snare which they have laid for me,
And from the gins of the workers of iniquity.
10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets,
Whilst that I withal escape.

The psalmists praise and sacrifice to God is this prayer: a supplication for help.

He needs help with his words: that he sins not by his mouth.

He needs help with his works: that he follows not after the wicked.

He needs help with his heart: that he hungers not for their dainties.

What are the wicked serving? Delicious words of malicious strife and scoffing. Even the desire to fight back for goodness can be a failing into their sin.

He needs God's help because the wicked are pursuing and pushing him. He is willing to listen to correction, but when he speaks truth to them, they reject and fight back. Will not God defend the defenseless who are being ground down for their good hearts?