Psalm 141:1-2 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 141:1-10

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 141:1-10

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 141:1-10

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 141:2

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 141:2

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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 141:1

Lord, I cry unto thee - In view of my perils; in view of the suggestions of my friends; in view of my temptation to do a wrong thing at their advice, and with the prospect of the advantage which it might seem to be to me.Make haste unto me - To save me from all this danger: the danger from my enemies; the danger from the counsels of my friends. See the notes at Psalms 22:19; compare Psalms 40:13; Psalms 70:1, Psalms 70:5; Psalms 71:12. The meaning is, that there is need of immediate... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 141:2

Let my prayer be set forth before thee - Margin, “directed.” The Hebrew word means to fit; to establish; to make firm. The psalmist desires that his prayer should not be like that which is feeble, languishing, easily dissipated, but that it should be like that which is firm and secure.As incense - See the notes and illustrations at Luke 1:9-10. Let my prayer come before thee in such a manner as incense does when it is offered in worship; in a manner of which the ascending of incense is a... 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

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 141:1-10

Psalm 140 - 143 Troubles for the godlyThese four psalms are similar, and from the title of Psalms 142:0 it appears that all four belong to the time when David was fleeing from Saul. (See introductory notes to Psalms 34:0.)Treachery and slander are the chief weapons that David’s enemies use to attack him. These men have the poison of snakes and the cunning of hunters (140:1-5). But Yahweh is David’s God, his defender in whom he trusts for victory (6-8). David’s enemies will receive a fitting... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 141:1

Title. A Psalm of David. See Title of 140. LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 . read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 141:1-10

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 141:1-10

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 141:1-10

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 141:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 141:2

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 141:1

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 141:2

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

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 141:1-10

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 141:1

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