[1] LORD, I call upon You; hurry to me. Listen to my voice when I call to You. [2] Let my prayer be counted as incense before You; The lifting up of my hands as the evening offering. [3] Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips [to keep me from speaking thoughtlessly]. [4] Do not incline my heart to [consent to or tolerate] any evil thing, Or to practice deeds of wickedness With men who plan and do evil; And let me not eat of their delicacies (be tempted by their gain). [5] Let the righteous [thoughtfully] strike (correct) me—it is a kindness [done to encourage my spiritual maturity]. It is [the choicest anointing] oil on the head; Let my head not refuse [to accept and acknowledge and learn from] it; For still my prayer is against their wicked deeds. [6] Their [wicked, godless] judges are thrown down the sides of the rocky cliff, And they [who followed them] will hear my words, for they are pleasant (just). [7] As when the one plows and breaks open the ground [and the soil scatters behind him], Our bones have been scattered at the mouth of Sheol [by the injustices of the wicked]. [8] For my eyes are toward You, O GOD, the Lord; In You I take refuge; do not pour out my life nor leave me defenseless. [9] Keep me from the jaws of the trap which they have set for me, And from the snares of those who do evil. [10] Let the wicked fall into their own nets, While I pass by and safely escape [from danger].
