Psalm 141

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

hear my voice when I cry to you.

2    Let my prayer rise before you as incense,  

the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

3    Set a watch before my mouth, O Lord,  

and guard the door of my lips;

4    Let not my heart incline to any evil thing;  

let me not be occupied in wickedness with evildoers,

    nor taste the pleasures of their table.

5    Let the righteous smite me in friendly rebuke;

    but let not the oil of the unrighteous anoint my head;  

for my prayer is continually against their wicked deeds.

6    Let their rulers be overthrown in stony places;  

then they may know that my words are sweet.

7    As when a plough turns over the earth in furrows,  

let their bones be scattered at the mouth of the Pit.

8    But my eyes are turned to you, Lord God;  

in you I take refuge; do not leave me defenceless.

9    Protect me from the snare which they have laid for me  

and from the traps of the evildoers.

10  Let the wicked fall into their own nets,  

while I pass by in safety.

 

Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England, material from which is included here,
is copyright © The Archbishops' Council 2000 and published by Church House Publishing.

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