1 I call to you, LORD, come quickly to me;
hear me when I call to you.
2 May my prayer be set before you like incense;
may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.
3 Set a guard over my mouth, LORD;
keep watch over the door of my lips.
4 Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil
so that I take part in wicked deeds
along with those who are evildoers;
do not let me eat of their delicacies.
5 Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness;
let him rebuke me—that is oil on my head.
My head will not refuse it,
for my prayer will still be against the deeds of evildoers.
6 Their rulers will be thrown down from the cliffs,
and the wicked will learn that my words were well spoken.
7 They will say, “As one plows and breaks up the earth,
so our bones have been scattered at the mouth of the grave.”
8 But my eyes are fixed on you, Sovereign LORD;
in you I take refuge—do not give me over to death.
9 Keep me safe from the traps set by evildoers,
from the snares they have laid for me.
10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets,
while I pass by in safety.
Questions to consider:
- Why does the author want a "guard" over his mouth?
- Why do you think the author considers it a "kindness" if a righteous man strikes him?
- Where is the author going to look for refuge and safety?
- From what does he seek safety?
I like the way that David asks God to listen to him. There is not an assumption on his part that God is already listening, but a humble request that God might turn his ear toward David. Today as you pray, take a moment to ask God to listen to your prayers, to receive the prayers that you offer. At the end of the prayer, thank God for listening, in confidence that he has.
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