THE BOOK OF PSALMS

Psalms 141-143

A Psalm of David.

1 ¶ LORD, I cry out to you: hasten to help me; hear my plea, when I call to you.

2 Let my prayer be set before you as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

3 Post a guard before my mouth, O LORD; keep watch at the door of my lips.

4 Do not let my heart be inclined to anything evil, or perform wicked acts with men who do evil: and do not let me feast on their delights.

5 ¶ Let a righteous man strike me or rebuke me, in kindness: but let the oil of the wicked never anoint my head: for my prayer is continually against their wicked deeds.

6 When they are given over to those who will condemn them, then they will learn that the word of the lord is true.

7 Their bones will be scattered at the grave’s mouth, like chips when one cuts and splits wood on the earth.

8 But my eyes look to you, O Lord GOD: I trust in you; do not leave my soul destitute.

9 Keep me from the trap they set for me, and the snares of those who do evil.

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

Psalm 142

Maschil of David; A Prayer when he was in the cave.

1 ¶ I cried aloud to the LORD; with my voice I pleaded to the LORD for mercy.

2 I poured out my complaint before him; and told him my trouble.

3 When my spirit is overwhelmed within me, then you know my way. On the path where I have to go they have secretly placed a snare for me.

4 ¶ I looked to the right, and watched, but there was no one who took notice of me: no refuge remains for me; no one cares about me.

5 I cried to you, O LORD: I said, You are my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.

6 Listen to my cry; for I am very weak: rescue me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.

7 Deliver my soul from prison, so that I may praise your name: the righteous surround me; for you will deal bountifully with me.

Psalm 143

A Psalm of David.

1 ¶ Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my plea: answer me in your faithfulness, and in your righteousness.

2 And do not enter into judgment with your servant: for no man living is righteous in your sight.

3 For the enemy has persecuted me; he has trampled my life to the ground; he has caused me to live in dark places, like those that have been long dead.

4 Therefore I feel weak enough to give up; and feel numb inside.

5 I remember the days of long ago; I think of all you have done; I meditate on what your hands have made.

6 I stretch out my hands to you: my soul thirsts for you, like a thirsty land. Selah.

7 ¶ Hear me quickly, O LORD: my spirit fails: do not hide your face from me, lest I be like those who go down into the pit.

8 In the morning let me hear how you love me; for I rely on you: cause me to know the way in which I should walk; because I long for you.

9 Rescue me, O LORD, from my enemies: I run to you for protection.

10 Teach me to do your will; for you are my God: may your good spirit; lead me on a level path.

11 Let me live, O LORD, for your name’s sake: for your righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble.

12 And in your mercy cut off my enemies, and destroy all those who afflict me: for I am your servant.