Psalm 141

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 141:4

Incline not my heart to any evil thing - Hebrew, to a word that is evil; that is, wrong. The connection seems to demand that the term should be thus explained. The expression “Incline not” is not designed to mean that God exerts any “positive” influence in leading the heart to that which is wrong; but it may mean “Do not place me in circumstances where I may be tempted; do not leave me to myself; do not allow any improper influence to come over me by which I shall be led astray.” The expression... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 141:5

Let the righteous smite me - This verse is exceedingly difficult and obscure (compare the margin); and there have been almost as many different opinions in regard to its meaning as there have been commentators on the psalm. A large number of these opinions may be seen in Rosenmuller in loc. DeWette explains it, “I gladly suffer anything that is unpleasant from my friends, that may be for my good; but the wickedness of my enemies I cannot endure.” The Septuagint and Latin Vulgate render it, “Let... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 141:6

When ... - This passage is no less difficult than the preceding, and it seems almost impossible to determine its exact meaning. What is meant by “judges”? What judges are referred to by the word “their”? What is meant by their being “overthrown”? What is the sense of the words “in stony places”? Does the passage refer to some certain prospect that they “would be” overthrown, or is it a mere supposition which relates to something that “might” occur? Who are meant by “they,” in the phrase “they... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 141:7

Our bones are scattered at the grave’s mouth - We are, indeed, now like bones scattered in the places of graves; we seem to be weak, feeble, disorganized. We are in a condition which of itself seems to be hopeless: as hopeless as it would be for dry bones scattered when they were buried to rise up and attack an enemy. The reference is to the condition of David and his followers as pursued by a mighty foe. His hope was not in his own forces, but in the power and interposition of God Psalms... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 141:8

But mine eyes are unto thee, O God the Lord - My hope is in thee. I do not rely on my own power. I do not trust in my armed forces. I know that they are weak, dispirited, scattered - like strewed bones - like the chips and splinters lying around the place where wood is chopped. I look, therefore, solely to God. I believe that he “will” interpose; and now that my enemy has placed himself in this position, I do not need to resort to stealthful arts - to dishonorable acts - to assassination - as... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 141:9

Keep me from the snares ... - See the notes at Psalms 11:6. Compare Psalms 38:12; Psalms 69:22; Psalms 91:3. The secret plans which they have laid against me.And the gins of the workers of iniquity - Wicked men; men who seek my destruction. On the word gins, see the notes at Isaiah 8:14. The gin is a trap or snare to catch birds or wild animals. The word used here is the same which occurs in Psalms 18:5, and which is there rendered “snare.” See the notes at that passage. Compare also Psalms... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 141:10

Let the wicked fall into their own nets - See the notes at Psalms 35:8. Compare Psalms 7:15-16.While that I withal escape - Margin, as in Hebrew, “pass over.” While I safely pass over the net or snare which has been secretly laid for me. The word “withal” means, in the Hebrew, “together, at the same time;” that is, At the same time that they fall into the net, let me pass over it in safety. See the notes at Job 5:13. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 141

A.M. 2946. B.C. 1058. David is thought, by several commentators, to have composed this Psalm just before his flight to Achish, king of Gath, when he had a second time spared Saul’s life, 1 Samuel 26:0 . and 1 Samuel 27:1 , but could trust him no longer. He prays for acceptance and assistance, Psalms 141:1-4 . That others might be instrumental of good to his soul, as he hoped to be to the souls of others, Psalms 141:5 , Psalms 141:6 . That he and his friends being now brought to the last... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 141:2

Psalms 141:2. Let my prayer be set forth before thee Hebrews תכון לפניךְ , be directed to thy face, person, or presence. Let it not be lost, but let it come unto thee and find audience; as incense Let it be owned and accepted by thee, no less than if it had been offered with incense at thine altar, from which I am now banished, and so am prevented from offering it there. And the lifting up of my hands My prayer made with hands lifted up, which was the usual gesture in praying; as the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 141:3-4

Psalms 141:3-4. Set a watch before my mouth That I may not, through mine own infirmity, and the great provocation of mine enemies, break forth into any unadvised speeches, or any expressions of impatience, distrust, envy, or malice; keep the door, &c. My lips, which are the door of my mouth, whence words come forth. Incline not my heart Suffer it not to be inclined, either by the temptations of the devil, the world, or the flesh, to any evil thing Whatever inclination there may be... read more

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 141:4

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 141:5

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 141:6

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 141:7

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 141:8

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 141:9

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 141:10

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 141

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 141:2

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 141:3-4

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