Psalm 141

A Psalm of David.

1        O Lord, I unto thee do cry,

                   do thou make haste to me,

          And give an ear unto my voice,

                   when I cry unto thee.

2        As incense let my prayer be

                   directed in thine eyes;

          And the uplifting of my hands

                   as th' ev'ning sacrifice.

3        Set, Lord, a watch before my mouth,

                   keep of my lips the door.

4        My heart incline thou not unto

                   the ills I should abhor,

          To practise wicked works with men

                   that work iniquity;

          And with their delicates my taste

                   let me not satisfy.

5        Let him that righteous is me smite,

                   it shall a kindness be;

          Let him reprove, I shall it count

                   a precious oil to me:

          Such smiting shall not break my head;

                   for yet the time shall fall,

          When I in their calamities

                   to God pray for them shall.

6        When as their judges down shall be

                   in stony places cast,

          Then shall they hear my words; for they

                   shall sweet be to their taste.

7        About the grave's devouring mouth

                   our bones are scatter'd round,

          As wood which men do cut and cleave

                   lies scatter'd on the ground.

8        But unto thee, O God the Lord,

                   mine eyes uplifted be:

          My soul do not leave destitute;

                   my trust is set on thee.

9        Lord, keep me safely from the snares

                   which they for me prepare;

          And from the subtile gins of them

                   that wicked workers are.

10      Let workers of iniquity

                   into their own nets fall,

          Whilst I do, by thine help, escape

                   the danger of them all.