Psalm 141

Authorship

This Psalm was authored by David.

Outline

(This began as Wendland's Expository Outline, but may be adapted.)

I. The psalmist’s cry. (1)

A. Lord, I cry unto Thee.

B. Make haste unto me.

C. Give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto Thee.

II. The psalmist’s continual prayer. (2)

A. Let my prayer be set forth before Thee as incense.

B. Let the lifting up of my hands be as the evening sacrifice.

III. The psalmist’s conversation. (3)

A. Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth.

B. Keep the door of my lips.

IV. The psalmist’s conduct. (4)

A. Incline not my heart to any evil thing.

B. To practise wicked works with men that work iniquity.

C. Let me not eat of their dainties.

V. The psalmist’s companions. (5-10)

A. The godly.

1. Let the righteous smite me: It shall be a kindness.

2. Let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head.

3. I will still pray in their calamities:

a. When their judges are overthrown in stony places; they shall hear my words; for they are sweet.

b. When their bones are scattered at the grave's mouth, as when one cutteth and cleaveth wood upon the earth.

B. God.

1. But mine eyes are unto Thee, O GOD the Lord.

2. In Thee is my trust.

3. Leave not my soul destitute.

C. The ungodly.

1. Keep me from the snares which they have laid for me.

2. Keep me from the gins of the workers of iniquity.

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

Textual Criticism

The following is from Barthélemy's Critique textuelle de l’Ancien Testament volume on the Psalms. For a key to the various symbols and abbreviations, click here.

Ps 141,4 אֶת־אִישִׁים {A}

Ps 141,5A חֶסֶד {A} MT, G, α', Hebr, T // abr-elus: S om

Ps 141,5B רֹאשׁ {B} MT, 11Qa // exeg: G? Hebr / paraphr: T / err-graph: s, G? clav רשע

Ps 141,5C יָנִי {A}

Ps 141,5D וּתְפִלָּתִי {B} MT, G, α', σ', αλλ, Hebr // lit: 11Qa / lic: S, T

Ps 141,7A cor פֶּלַח יְבֻקַּע {C} 11Qa, G // err-voc: σ', Hebr, S / err-graph: MT, ε', α' פלח ובקע

Ps 141,7B עֲצָמֵינוּ {C} MT, G, α', σ', ε', Hebr, T // assim-ctext: 11Qa עצמי, g, S clav עצמיהם