Let My Prayer Be Set Before You As Incense

The psalmist, David, cries out to God to hear him. A few interesting prayer request he makes to God which is not only for improving his character but to improve his relationship with God. He prays that God watch over his lips mouth, guard his heart from wicked and evil things, let himself be rebuked and disciplined by righteous people when he needs it.

Such is an honest prayer by a man after God's heart. His eyes are constantly focused on God, whom he takes refuge in. He asks God to nourish his soul. Finally, for a man with many enemies, he asks God to help him escape the traps of his enemies.


Psalm 141
Prayer for Safekeeping from Wickedness
A Psalm of David.

1 Lord, I cry out to You;
Make haste to me!
Give ear to my voice when I cry out to You.

2 Let my prayer be set before You as incense,
The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

3 Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth;
Keep watch over the door of my lips.

4 Do not incline my heart to any evil thing,
To practice wicked works
With men who work iniquity;
And do not let me eat of their delicacies.

5 Let the righteous strike me;
It shall be a kindness.
And let him rebuke me;
It shall be as excellent oil;
Let my head not refuse it.
For still my prayer is against the deeds of the wicked.

6 Their judges are overthrown by the sides of the cliff,
And they hear my words, for they are sweet.

7 Our bones are scattered at the mouth of the grave,
As when one plows and breaks up the earth.

8 But my eyes are upon You, O GOD the Lord;
In You I take refuge;
Do not leave my soul destitute.

9 Keep me from the snares they have laid for me,
And from the traps of the workers of iniquity.

10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets,
While I escape safely.