Psalm 141 & 142

Psalm 141

1I call to you, Lord, come quickly to me;

hear me when I call to you.

2May my prayer be set before you like incense;

may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.

3Set a guard over my mouth, Lord;

keep watch over the door of my lips.

4Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil

so that I take part in wicked deeds

along with those who are evildoers;

do not let me eat their delicacies.

5Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness;

let him rebuke me—that is oil on my head.

My head will not refuse it,

for my prayer will still be against the deeds of evildoers.

6Their rulers will be thrown down from the cliffs,

and the wicked will learn that my words were well spoken.

7They will say, “As one plows and breaks up the earth,

so our bones have been scattered at the mouth of the grave.”

8But my eyes are fixed on you, Sovereign Lord;

in you I take refuge—do not give me over to death.

9Keep me safe from the traps set by evildoers,

from the snares they have laid for me.

10Let the wicked fall into their own nets,

while I pass by in safety.

Psalm 142

1I cry aloud to the Lord;

I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy.

2I pour out before him my complaint;

before him I tell my trouble.

3When my spirit grows faint within me,

it is you who watch over my way.

In the path where I walk

people have hidden a snare for me.

4Look and see, there is no one at my right hand;

no one is concerned for me.

I have no refuge;

no one cares for my life.

5I cry to you, Lord;

I say, “You are my refuge,

my portion in the land of the living.”

6Listen to my cry,

for I am in desperate need;

rescue me from those who pursue me,

for they are too strong for me.

7Set me free from my prison,

that I may praise your name.

Then the righteous will gather about me

because of your goodness to me.