The Book of Psalms
Psalm 141
Psalm CXLI · Vol. II, pp. 1075–1076
1 David prayeth that his suit may be acceptable, 3 his conscience free from guilt, 7 and his life safe from the snares of the wicked.
A psalm of David.
1 LORD, Ia cry unto thee: make haste unto 1me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee.
a Ps.130.1,2; 70.1; 4.1; 5.1.7; 18.6; 31.4-6.
1 This is a sequel to the preceding psalm, wherein Messiah interposes his righteous advocacy in behalf of his afflicted but beloved church, 1 Jn.2.1.—C.
2 Let my prayer be set forth2 before thee bas incense; cand the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
4 Inclinee not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: gand let me not eat of their dainties.3
e Ps.119.36. Mat.6.13. Ja.1.13.
g Pr.23.6;1.10-19;7.7-23;9.17.
3 Christ came 'eating and drinking' (Mat. 11. 19), and therefore guards himself by prayer against that temptation of appetite by which Satan made his first attempt against him (Mat. 4. 3), and by which the men of the world still continue to be occupied and seduced, Mat.6.32.—C.
5 hLet4 the righteous smite me;5 it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for iyet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.
h Pr.9.8;19.25;25.12;27.6; 6.23; 15.5,32,33. Ga.6.1. Le.19.17. Mat.18.15.
4 Or, Let the righteous smite me kindly and reprove me, let not their precious oil break my head, &c.
5 See note * below.
* 'Let the righteous' (either the righteous God, or the righteous man) out of kindness correct and reprove me; but let not the oil of the impious anoint my head—for my prayer shall ever be against their wicked doings, saying—Let their judges be cast down in stony places, that they may hearken to my words, for they are sweet.—C.
7 Ourl bones are scattered at the grave's mouth,6 as when one cutteth and cleaveth wood upon the earth.
l 1 Sa.22.18,19. Re.11.8,9. Eze.37.2,11.
6 Describing the persecution of the apostles and martyrs. See Ro. 8. 36. Thus the bones of Wickliffe, the harbinger of the Reformation, were dug up and burned, and refused even the privilege of a peaceful grave.—C.
8 Butn mine eyes are unto thee, O GOD the Lord: in thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute.7
Notes
Reflections.—A deep sense of need will make us importunate in prayer for speedy help, gracious acceptance, direction, preservation, and merciful restraints. Faithful and Christian reproof is a necessary and kind office of friendship. And to love reproof, and be thankful for it, is one of the surest symptoms of a gracious heart. But that reproof will be most effectual which comes from those whose unsuspected piety gives weight to their words, and whose tender manner of applying it renders it soft and penetrating. For men to pray to be put right, and yet to be displeased with rebuke for what is wrong, is base dissimulation. Often people never regard God's candidates for the magistracy or ministry, till their own be destroyed or shamefully disgraced. But let the case of the church or saints be ever so deplorable, fervent prayers will soon render it hopeful. And if our eyes be fixed on God, our feet shall not slip. But the destruction of the wicked is determined, and their devices to hurt others shall but hasten their own wretchedness.