In The Word
Read: Psalm 140-141
Prayer for Protection against the Wicked.
For the choir director. A Psalm of David.
140 Rescue me, O Lord, from evil men;
Preserve me from violent men
2 Who devise evil things in their hearts;
They continually stir up wars.
3 They sharpen their tongues as a serpent;
Poison of a viper is under their lips. Selah.
4 Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked;
Preserve me from violent men
Who have purposed to trip up my feet.
5 The proud have hidden a trap for me, and cords;
They have spread a net by the wayside;
They have set snares for me. Selah.
6 I said to the Lord, “You are my God;
Give ear, O Lord, to the voice of my supplications.
7 “O God the Lord, the strength of my salvation,
You have covered my head in the day of battle.
8 “Do not grant, O Lord, the desires of the wicked;
Do not promote his evil device, that they not be exalted. Selah.
9 “As for the head of those who surround me,
May the mischief of their lips cover them.
10 “May burning coals fall upon them;
May they be cast into the fire,
Into deep pits from which they cannot rise.
11 “May a slanderer not be established in the earth;
May evil hunt the violent man speedily.”
12 I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted
And justice for the poor.
13 Surely the righteous will give thanks to Your name;
The upright will dwell in Your presence.
An Evening Prayer for Sanctification and Protection.
A Psalm of David.
141 O Lord, I call upon You; hasten to me!
Give ear to my voice when I call to You!
2 May 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.
4 Do not incline my heart to any evil thing,
To practice deeds of wickedness
With men who do iniquity;
And do not let me eat of their delicacies.
5 Let the righteous smite me in kindness and reprove me;
It is oil upon the head;
Do not let my head refuse it,
For still my prayer is against their wicked deeds.
6 Their judges are thrown down by the sides of the rock,
And they hear my words, for they are pleasant.
7 As when one plows and breaks open the earth,
Our bones have been scattered at the mouth of Sheol.
8 For my eyes are toward You, O God, the Lord;
In You I take refuge; do not 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 iniquity.
10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets,
While I pass by safely.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
The two psalms that we read today are each accredited to King David. We can get somewhat of an insight, from the words he wrote down, as to why God called him a man after His heart (Acts 13:22). In each of these psalms, David’s heart wanted to be closer to God. One way he understood for this to happen was to be kept away from evil men who would cause his feet to stumble. This is an important principle in the Word that all of us that are saved should adhere to. Once we are saved, we have to detach from any intimate/personal relationship with those who’s convictions don’t line up with His truth (1 Corinthians 15:33).
David’s heart was revealed more in Psalm 141 as he worshipped God and then asked for help to keep his words and heart pure before the Lord. He also gave God permission to send other people who were walking in truth to correct him if necessary. Today, as you spend time with our Lord, I’m sure, like most of us, you want your prayers answered. One of the ways to have them answered is to pray according to God’s will. Praying His will is what we see here in what we read today; when it comes to asking God for strength, be pleasing to Him. If your life isn’t reflecting the Word, then don’t waste your prayer life on selfish prayers, but daily ask for His fruits and character to be manifested in your life. That’s a prayer that He will answer (James 4:3).