October 17 – Psalms 141 and 142 from the Old Testament

Psalms 141 and 142 – Psalm 141

A psalm of David.

141:1 O Lord, I cry out to you. Come quickly to me!

Pay attention to me when I cry out to you!

141:2 May you accept my prayer like incense,

my uplifted hands like the evening offering!

141:3 O Lord, place a guard on my mouth!

Protect the opening of my lips!

141:4 Do not let me have evil desires,

or participate in sinful activities

with men who behave wickedly.

I will not eat their delicacies.

141:5 May the godly strike me in love and correct me!

May my head not refuse choice oil!

Indeed, my prayer is a witness against their evil deeds.

141:6 They will be thrown down the side of a cliff by their judges.

They will listen to my words, for they are pleasant.

141:7 As when one plows and breaks up the soil,

so our bones are scattered at the mouth of Sheol.

141:8 Surely I am looking to you, O sovereign Lord.

In you I take shelter.

Do not expose me to danger!

141:9 Protect me from the snare they have laid for me,

and the traps the evildoers have set.

141:10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets,

while I escape.

Psalm 142

A well-written song by David, when he was in the cave; a prayer.

142:1 To the Lord I cry out;

to the Lord I plead for mercy.

142:2 I pour out my lament before him;

I tell him about my troubles.

142:3 Even when my strength leaves me,

you watch my footsteps.

In the path where I walk

they have hidden a trap for me.

142:4 Look to the right and see!

No one cares about me.

I have nowhere to run;

no one is concerned about my life.

142:5 I cry out to you, O Lord;

I say, “You are my shelter,

my security in the land of the living.”

142:6 Listen to my cry for help,

for I am in serious trouble!

Rescue me from those who chase me,

for they are stronger than I am.

142:7 Free me from prison,

that I may give thanks to your name.

Because of me the godly will assemble,

for you will vindicate me.