“Lord, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee. Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice” (Ps. 141:1-2).
This inspired prayer put to music teaches valuable attitudes for every person in every age. While David is asking the Lord to do certain things for him, he understands that he himself must be active in his own living. Nevertheless, he knows that he cannot do it alone. For example, he states, “But mine eyes are unto thee, O God the Lord: in thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute” (Ps. 141:8). Tough times make prayer and song valuable to the child of God. Look closely at three things David requested in this prayerful song.
1. Safeguard My Use of Words. “Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips” (Ps. 141:3). David knew the power of words for good or evil. David’s son, Solomon, will later write, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof” (Prov. 18:21). Consequences, both good and bad, come from the use of the tongue. As a king, David’s words were influential and authoritative. As a child of God, David’s words would demonstrate his development in life. Paul, citing an illustration of development, wrote “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things” (1 Cor. 13:11). Working on controlling the tongue is a lifelong process (cf. James 3:2). How many prayers has a child of God requested that the Lord help him in the use of his tongue?
2. Set My Heart from Following Evil. “Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties. Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities” (Ps. 141:4-5). More are there that pursue evil than follow righteousness (cf. Matt. 7:13-14). Moses warned, “Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil” (Ex. 23:2). Paul wrote, “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners” (1 Cor. 15:33). However, there are influences of righteous people who would help to keep one’s heart where it should be. One should not despise the constructive reproof of God-fearing people. Solomon wrote, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful” (Prov. 27:6). David’s request for help in having the right kind of people around him is as valuable today as it was then.
3. Secure My Steps from the Trappings of the World. “Keep me from the snares which they have laid for me, and the gins of the workers of iniquity. Let the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst that I withal escape” (Ps. 141:9-10). Regardless of how much self-control one has and a positive spiritual influence around him, this life is still filled with snares. Satan does not quit. Satan is also very opportunistic. Just when one is careless and unfocused of what lies before, the trap is sprung. With Satan, there is always a catch in every temptation. Jesus did not say in vain in the model prayer, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen” (Matt. 6:13). God has promised a way of escape in temptation (cf. 1 Cor. 10:13). Any and all requests in prayer require application in life.
Jimmy Clark