Psalm 141:3 ESV

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 141:3

Our lip-watchman. Our lips are poetically presented as the door of our mouth. A man's heart is not to be trusted as an inspirer of speech. Every man needs to have the speech examined and tested before it is let pass the door of his lips. The psalmist feels that he cannot trust himself to examine, criticize, qualify his own speech, especially in times of excitement. And yet he must do this work himself. No one but himself can know what he is inwardly urged to say. In asking God to set a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 141:3

The power of human speech for good and evil. There is, perhaps, no other power given us by God which more evidently distinguishes us from the beasts, than the power of intelligent speech. And perhaps we have no power that can do more to help and bless others. And yet this also is true—no other faculty is more degraded by sin. One is led even to exclaim, "What shall be done unto thee, O thou deceitful tongue, thou lovest all devouring words!" I. THE POWER OF MAN 'S SPEECH FOR... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 141:3

Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth - That I may not say anything rashly, unadvisedly, improperly. Compare Psalms 39:1. The prayer here is, that God would guard him from the temptation to say something wrong. To this he seems to have been prompted by the circumstances of the case, and by the advice of those who were with him. See introduction to the psalm. Compare the notes at Psalms 11:1.Keep the door of my lips - That my lips or mouth may not open except when it is proper and right; when... 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

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 141:3

Set a watch = Set a guard. Hebrew. shamrah. Same word as "keep", Psalms 141:9 Occurs only here. Keep = keep in safety. Not the same word as in Psalms 141:9 . read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Psalms 141:3-4

Psalms 141:3-4. Set a watch, O Lord, &c.— Mr. Peters paraphrases these two verses thus: "I am now going to seek a retreat from the persecutions of my master Saul, amidst a race of idolaters, who will be curious to observe all my words and actions, and will attempt to draw me in to be a partaker with them in their idol worship, or suspect me as a spy or enemy, if I refuse to comply with them. But do thou, O Lord, set a watch before my mouth, a guard over the door of my lips; that I may... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 141:1-10

Psalms 141In this evening prayer, David asked God to protect him and enable him to continue living for God’s glory. It is an individual lament."Life is built on character and character is built on decisions. This psalm reveals David making a number of wise decisions as he faced the attacks of the enemy." [Note: Wiersbe, The . . . Wisdom . . ., p. 369.] read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 141:3-4

David asked God to help him control his speech (Psalms 141:3). He also wanted the Lord to help him control his thoughts and actions (Psalms 141:4). "Eating the delicacies" of the wicked pictures enjoying the sensual pleasures of ungodly people."All mortals tend to turn into the thing they are pretending to be." [Note: C. S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters, p. 54.] read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 141:3-7

2. A request to walk in God’s ways 141:3-7 read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 141:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 141:3

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 141:3

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

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 141:1-10

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 141:3

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Psalms 141:3-4

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 141:1-10

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 141:3-4

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 141:3-7

Group of Brands