As you read, keep in mind our two questions:

1. What things in this Psalm can I relate to?

2. Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

PSALM 141

A psalm of David.
1 O LORD, I cry out to you. Come quickly to me.
Pay attention to me when I cry out to you.
2 May you accept my prayer like incense,
my uplifted hands like the evening offering.

3 O LORD, place a guard on my mouth.
Protect the opening of my lips.
4 Do not let me have evil desires
or participate in sinful activities
with men who behave wickedly.
I will not eat their delicacies.

5 May the godly strike me in love and correct me.
May my head not refuse choice oil.
Indeed, my prayer is a witness against their evil deeds.

6 They will be thrown over the side of a cliff by their judges.
They will listen to my words, for they are pleasant.
7 As when one plows and breaks up the soil,
so our bones are scattered at the mouth of Sheol.

8 Surely I am looking to you, O Sovereign LORD.
In you I take shelter.
Do not expose me to danger.
9 Protect me from the snare they have laid for me
and the traps the evildoers have set.
10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets,
while I escape.

PSALM 142

A well-written song by David, when he was in the cave; a prayer.

1 To the LORD I cry out;
to the Lord I plead for mercy.
2 I pour out my lament before him;
I tell him about my troubles.

3 Even when my strength leaves me,
you watch my footsteps.
In the path where I walk
they have hidden a trap for me.
4 Look to the right and see.
No one cares about me.
I have nowhere to run;
no one is concerned about my life.

5 I cry out to you, O LORD;
I say, “You are my shelter,
my security in the land of the living.”

6 Listen to my cry for help,
for I am in serious trouble.
Rescue me from those who chase me,
for they are stronger than I am.
7 Free me from prison
that I may give thanks to your name.
Because of me the godly will assemble,
for you will vindicate me.

REFLECTIONS

Now think about the two questions:

1. What things in this Psalm can I relate to?

2. Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

Then pray, seeking to delight in God or to depend on God.