Psalm 141-144

New International Version

³ Set a guard over my mouth,^(F) Lord;
    keep watch over the door of my lips.^(G)
4 Do not let my heart^(H) be drawn to what is evil
    so that I take part in wicked deeds^(I)
along with those who are evildoers;
    do not let me eat their delicacies.^(J)

⁵ Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness;
    let him rebuke me^(K)—that is oil on my head.^(L)
My head will not refuse it,
    for my prayer will still be against the deeds of evildoers.

⁶ Their rulers will be thrown down from the cliffs,^(M)
    and the wicked will learn that my words were well spoken.
⁷ They will say, “As one plows^(N) and breaks up the earth,^(O)
    so our bones have been scattered at the mouth^(P) of the grave.”

⁸ But my eyes are fixed^(Q) on you, Sovereign Lord;
    in you I take refuge^(R)—do not give me over to death.
⁹ Keep me safe^(S) from the traps set by evildoers,^(T)
    from the snares^(U) they have laid for me.
¹⁰ Let the wicked fall^(V) into their own nets,
    while I pass by in safety.^(W)

³ When my spirit grows faint^(AC) within me,
    it is you who watch over my way.
In the path where I walk
    people have hidden a snare for me.
⁴ Look and see, there is no one at my right hand;
    no one is concerned for me.
I have no refuge;^(AD)
    no one cares^(AE) for my life.

⁵ I cry to you, Lord;
    I say, “You are my refuge,^(AF)
    my portion^(AG) in the land of the living.”^(AH)

⁶ Listen to my cry,^(AI)
    for I am in desperate need;^(AJ)
rescue me^(AK) from those who pursue me,
    for they are too strong^(AL) for me.
⁷ Set me free from my prison,^(AM)
    that I may praise your name.^(AN)
Then the righteous will gather about me
    because of your goodness to me.^(AO)

⁷ Answer me quickly,^(BA) Lord;
    my spirit fails.^(BB)
Do not hide your face^(BC) from me
    or I will be like those who go down to the pit.
⁸ Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,^(BD)
    for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way^(BE) I should go,
    for to you I entrust my life.^(BF)
9 Rescue me^(BG) from my enemies,^(BH) Lord,
    for I hide myself in you.
¹⁰ Teach me^(BI) to do your will,
    for you are my God;^(BJ)
may your good Spirit
    lead^(BK) me on level ground.^(BL)

¹¹ For your name’s sake,^(BM) Lord, preserve my life;^(BN)
    in your righteousness,^(BO) bring me out of trouble.
¹² In your unfailing love, silence my enemies;^(BP)
    destroy all my foes,^(BQ)
    for I am your servant.^(BR)

³ Lord, what are human beings^(BX) that you care for them,
    mere mortals that you think of them?
⁴ They are like a breath;^(BY)
    their days are like a fleeting shadow.^(BZ)

⁵ Part your heavens,^(CA) Lord, and come down;^(CB)
    touch the mountains, so that they smoke.^(CC)
6 Send forth lightning^(CD) and scatter^(CE) the enemy;
    shoot your arrows^(CF) and rout them.
⁷ Reach down your hand from on high;^(CG)
    deliver me and rescue me^(CH)
from the mighty waters,^(CI)
    from the hands of foreigners^(CJ)
8 whose mouths are full of lies,^(CK)
    whose right hands^(CL) are deceitful.^(CM)

⁹ I will sing a new song^(CN) to you, my God;
    on the ten-stringed lyre^(CO) I will make music to you,
¹⁰ to the One who gives victory to kings,^(CP)
    who delivers his servant David.^(CQ)

From the deadly sword^{(CR) 11} deliver me;
    rescue me^(CS) from the hands of foreigners^(CT)
whose mouths are full of lies,^(CU)
    whose right hands are deceitful.^(CV)

¹² Then our sons in their youth
    will be like well-nurtured plants,^(CW)
and our daughters will be like pillars^(CX)
    carved to adorn a palace.
¹³ Our barns will be filled^(CY)
    with every kind of provision.
Our sheep will increase by thousands,
    by tens of thousands in our fields;
¹⁴     our oxen^(CZ) will draw heavy loads.^[e]
There will be no breaching of walls,^(DA)
    no going into captivity,
    no cry of distress in our streets.^(DB)
15 Blessed is the people^(DC) of whom this is true;
    blessed is the people whose God is the Lord.