A prayer of the Head and His members to be kept from every evil work and preserved to the kingdom 

David is very conscious of being surrounded by men who are using every art to ensnare him. By words, practice and the seductions of luxuries or attractive morsels of sin, they sought to capture his soul as in a mesh or a net. He realised with Paul, that he must walk circumspectly, so that he would not fall prey to them. The times are no different now. 

His prayer then, is for the tongue and lips of the wise, and a heart that would pursue good rather than evil. Also, that he was prepared to receive correction and advice from the righteous in the land, for he would look on such as the wounds of a friend. He, in turn, would act to them likewise, especially to pray for them in their predicaments. When those who sat in judgment on him would be cast down, then the people would hear a different and comforting report from him, especially the sweet words of inspiration.


Psalm 141

 1  O Lord, I unto thee do cry,
       do thou make haste to me,
    And give an ear unto my voice,
       when I cry unto thee.

 2  As incense let my prayer be
       directed in thine eyes;
    And the uplifting of my hands
       as th' ev 'ning sacrifice.

 3  Set, Lord, a watch before my mouth,
       keep of my lips the door.
 4  My heart incline thou not unto
       the ills I should abhor,

    To practice wicked works with men
       that work iniquity;
    And with their delicates my taste
       let me not satisfy.

 5  Let him that righteous is me smite,
       it shall a kindness be;
    Let him reprove, I shall it count
       a precious oil to me:

    Such smiting shall not break my head;
       for yet the time shall fall,
    When I in their calamities
       to God pray for them shall.

 6  When as their judges down shall be
       in stony places cast,
    Then shall they hear my words; for they
       shall sweet be to their taste.

 7  About the grave's devouring mouth
       our bones are scattered round,
    As wood which men do cut and cleave
       lies scattered on the ground.

 8  But unto thee, O God the Lord,
       mine eyes uplifted be:
    My soul do not leave destitute;
       my trust is set on thee.

 9  Lord, keep me safely from the snares
       which they for me prepare;
    And from the subtle gins of them
       that wicked workers are.

10  Let workers of iniquity
       into their own nets fall,
    Whilst I do, by thine help, escape
       the danger of them all.


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