Lord, I cry unto thee; make haste unto me . The need is pressing and urgent. God is therefore entreated to "hasten" (comp. Psalms 22:19 ; Psalms 31:2 ; Psalms 38:22 ; Psalms 40:17 , etc.). Give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee (comp. Psalms 102:2 ). read more
The plea of former prayer. Associating this psalm with David, Spurgeon thinks we have here "David under suspicion, half afraid to speak lest he should speak unadvisedly while trying to clear himself; David slandered and beset by enemies; David censured even by saints, and taking it kindly; David deploring the condition of the godly party, of whom he was the acknowledged head; David waiting upon God with confident expectation." The point before us now is brought out by the Revised Version,... read more
1. That prayer may be with him a settled institution ( Psalms 141:2 ). 2. That he may be saved from sins of the tongue ( Psalms 141:3 ). 3. That he may be saved from sins of thought or act ( Psalms 141:4 ). 4. That he may be given grace to welcome reproof ( Psalms 141:5 ). The circumstances of the time are then shortly touched. There has been a severe judgment on the rulers of the people ( Psalms 141:6 ), and a great national calamity ( Psalms 141:7 ), with the... read more
Acceptable sacrifices. The more distinctive teaching of this psalm respects— I. THE SACRIFICE OF PRAYER . ( Psalms 141:2 , Psalms 141:8 , Psalms 141:9 .) When the sacrificial services of the tabernacle (or temple) could not be rendered, it was open to the devout Israelite to "lift up his hands" in reverent, believing prayer. And this, we are sure, was acceptable to "him that heareth prayer." The essence of all sacrifice was an appeal to God by the spirit of man, the going... read more
Keep me from the snares. This difficult psalm seems to be the cry of a greatly tempted soul. And the temptation now did not arise so much from the persecutions of the ungodly as from their seducing favors—what he calls "their dainties" ( Psalms 141:4 ). And he seems to have found this even harder to resist than their cruelty and harshness. Consider— I. THE SPIRIT OF THIS PRAYER . 1. Note its impassioned earnestness . ( Psalms 141:1 .) "Lord, I cry unto thee." No... read more
A comprehensive prayer. The psalm has some peculiar difficulties, due to the extreme abruptness with which the thoughts follow one another, and the great obscurity which hangs over the allusions. Let us try and select the principal thoughts. 1. The psalmist was threatened with some immediate danger which could brook no delay . ( Psalms 141:1 .) Like the disciples in the storm on the lake. If relief comes at all, it must come at once. 2. He seeks that his prayer to this end... read more
Let my prayer be set forth (or, "established") before thee as incense ; i . e . with the regularity of the incense, and with its acceptableness. And the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice . The hands were "lifted up" in prayer, which was reckoned a serf of sacrifice ( Hosea 14:2 ). read more
Prayer as incense. From the mention of the evening sacrifice we may gather that the psalmist is actually praying in the evening. Incense was offered when the lamps were trimmed in the morning, and when the lamps were lighted "between the evenings," after the evening sacrifice. Incense, offered after sacrifice, is the symbol of the worship of the soul already reconciled to God. The evening sacrifice is the regular burnt offering of self-dedication. "As incense is carefully prepared,... read more
Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth ; keep the door of my lips (comp. Psalms 39:1 ). David's was a hasty, impetuous temper, which required sharp control. He strove to "keep his own mouth with a bridle"—to " be dumb with silence, and hold his peace"—but this was not always possible for him of his own unassisted strength. He therefore makes his prayer to God for the Divine help. read more
Get a Bible verse delivered to your inbox every day!
Read on Mobile
John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 141:9
Verse 9 9.Keep me, etc. He owns himself to be shut up in the snares of his enemies, unless set free by a higher hand. In praying to God under the straits to which he was reduced, he proves what a high estimate he formed of what his mercy could effect, as elsewhere he says, that the issues from death belong to him. (Psalms 68:20.) God often delays interposing, that the deliverance may be the more signal; and afterwards he makes the devices of the wicked to recoil upon their own heads. It seems... read more