Give Ear to My Voice

A Psalm of David.

1O LORD, I call upon you; hasten to me!

Give ear to my voice when I call to you!

2Let my prayer be counted as incense before you,

and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!

3Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth;

keep watch over the door of my lips!

4Do not let my heart incline to any evil,

to busy myself with wicked deeds

in company with men who work iniquity,

and let me not eat of their delicacies!

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

let him rebuke me—it is oil for my head;

let my head not refuse it.

Yet my prayer is continually against their evil deeds.

6When their judges are thrown over the cliff,141:6 Or When their judges fall into the hands of the Rock

then they shall hear my words, for they are pleasant.

7As when one ploughs and breaks up the earth,

so shall our bones be scattered at the mouth of Sheol.141:7 The meaning of the Hebrew in verses 6, 7 is uncertain

8But my eyes are towards you, O GOD, my Lord;

in you I seek refuge; leave me not defenceless!141:8 Hebrew refuge; do not pour out my life!

9Keep me from the trap that they have laid for me

and from the snares of evildoers!

10Let the wicked fall into their own nets,

while I pass by safely.