A Psalm of David.

¹Lord , I call upon You; hasten to me. Give ear to my voice when I cry to You.

²Let my prayer be set forth as incense before You, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. [I Tim. 2:8; Rev. 8:3, 4.]

³Set a guard, O Lord, before my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips.

⁴Incline my heart not to submit or consent to any evil thing or to be occupied in deeds of wickedness with men who work iniquity; and let me not eat of their dainties.

⁵Let the righteous man smite and correct me–it is a kindness. Oil so choice let not my head refuse or discourage; for even in their evils or calamities shall my prayer continue. [Prov. 9:8; 19:25; 25:12; Gal. 6:1.]

⁶When their rulers are overthrown in stony places, [their followers] shall hear my words, that they are sweet (pleasant, mild, and just).

⁷The unburied bones [of slaughtered rulers] shall lie scattered at the mouth of Sheol, [as unregarded] as the lumps of soil behind the plowman when he breaks open the ground. [II Cor. 1:9.]

⁸But my eyes are toward You, O God the Lord; in You do I trust and take refuge; pour not out my life nor leave it destitute and bare.

⁹Keep me from the trap which they have laid for me, and the snares of evildoers.

¹⁰Let the wicked fall together into their own nets, while I pass over them and escape.