Psalm 141
O Lord, I call to you, make haste to help me
: and hear my voice when I cry.
Let my prayer be as incense before you
: and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
Set a guard, O Lord, on my mouth
: and keep the door of my lips.
Let not my heart incline to evil speech,
to join in wickedness with wrongdoers
: let me not taste the pleasures of their table.
But let the righteous man chastise me
: and the faithful man rebuke me.
Let not the oil of the wicked anoint my head
: for I pray to you still against their wickedness.
They shall be cast down by that Mighty One who is their judge
: and how pleasing shall my words be to them then!
As when a farmer breaks the ground
: so shall their bones lie scattered at the mouth of Sheol.
But my eyes look to you, O Lord my God
: to you I come for refuge, do not pour out my life.
Keep me from the snare that they have laid for me
: and from the traps of the evildoers.
Let the wicked fall together into their own nets
: whilst I pass safely by.
Psalm 142
I call to the Lord with a loud voice
: with loud voice I entreat his favour.
I pour out my complaint before him
: and tell him all my trouble.
When my spirit is faint within me, you know my path
: in the way where I walk they have hidden a snare for me.
I look to my right hand and see
: but no man will know me;
All escape is gone
: and there is no one who cares for me.
I call to you, O Lord, I say ‘You are my refuge
: you are my portion in the land of the living.’
Heed my loud crying, for I am brought very low
: O save me from my persecutors,
for they are too strong for me.
Bring me out of the prison-house
: that I may praise your name.
When you have given me my reward
: then will the righteous gather about me.