A HUMBLE BUT URGENT PRAYER
Passage: Psalm 141:1~10  
Key verse: 5
Psalm 141A psalm of David.
1 I call to you, Lord, come quickly(A) to me;
hear me(B) when I call to you.
2 May my prayer be set before you like incense;(C)
may the lifting up of my hands(D) be like the evening sacrifice.(E)
3 Set a guard over my mouth,(F) Lord;
keep watch over the door of my lips.(G)
4 Do not let my heart(H) be drawn to what is evil
so that I take part in wicked deeds(I)
along with those who are evildoers;
do not let me eat their delicacies.(J)
5 Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness;
let him rebuke me(K)—that is oil on my head.(L)
My head will not refuse it,
for my prayer will still be against the deeds of evildoers.
1 I call to you, Lord, come quickly(A) to me;
hear me(B) when I call to you.
2 May my prayer be set before you like incense;(C)
may the lifting up of my hands(D) be like the evening sacrifice.(E)
3 Set a guard over my mouth,(F) Lord;
keep watch over the door of my lips.(G)
4 Do not let my heart(H) be drawn to what is evil
so that I take part in wicked deeds(I)
along with those who are evildoers;
do not let me eat their delicacies.(J)
5 Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness;
let him rebuke me(K)—that is oil on my head.(L)
My head will not refuse it,
for my prayer will still be against the deeds of evildoers.
Cross references
- Psalm 141:1 : S Ps 22:19
- Psalm 141:1 : S Ps 4:1; 5:1-2; 27:7; 143:1
- Psalm 141:2 : S Lk 1:9; Rev 5:8; 8:3
- Psalm 141:2 : S Ps 28:2; 63:4; 1Ti 2:8
- Psalm 141:2 : S Ex 29:39, 41; 30:8
- Psalm 141:3 : S Ps 34:13; Jas 1:26; 3:8
- Psalm 141:3 : S Ps 12:2
- Psalm 141:4 : S Jos 24:23
- Psalm 141:4 : S Ps 106:29
- Psalm 141:4 : Pr 23:1-3
- Psalm 141:5 : Pr 9:8; 19:25; 25:12; Ecc 7:5
- Psalm 141:5 : S Ex 29:7; Ps 23:5
- Psalm 141:6 : S 2Ch 25:12
- Psalm 141:7 : Ps 129:3
- Psalm 141:7 : Nu 16:32-33
- Psalm 141:7 : S Nu 16:30
- Psalm 141:8 : Ps 123:2
- Psalm 141:8 : Ps 2:12; 11:1
- Psalm 141:9 : Ps 140:4
- Psalm 141:9 : S Ps 64:5
- Psalm 141:9 : S Ps 38:12
- Psalm 141:10 : Ps 7:15; 35:8; 57:6
- Psalm 141:10 : Ps 124:7
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source:  BibleGateway
The burning of incense in the Old Testament temple worship represented prayer going up to God. We should have faith that our prayer life is a sweet-smelling offering to God (2). The Psalmist once again is praying urgently for deliverance from enemies. But first, he prays that he himself may not speak wicked words (3) or be tempted by evil (4). Then he confesses his willingness to receive a rebuke from the righteous (5). To grow spiritually, we need to be able to receive correction ourselves, not just pray for others to be changed. God honors humble prayers from those who are seeking to be made holy.
When we have humbled ourselves before God, we can also pray for God’s justice to be displayed against evildoers (6-7). However, it is more important to keep our own eyes fixed on God and trust him for our protection (8-9). That way, we can avoid becoming too focused on human enemies.
Prayer: Father, thank you for being my protector. Please send me your correction in the right time and help me speak only good and helpful words.
One Word: Willing to accept a rebuke
When we have humbled ourselves before God, we can also pray for God’s justice to be displayed against evildoers (6-7). However, it is more important to keep our own eyes fixed on God and trust him for our protection (8-9). That way, we can avoid becoming too focused on human enemies.
Prayer: Father, thank you for being my protector. Please send me your correction in the right time and help me speak only good and helpful words.
One Word: Willing to accept a rebuke