Psa 141:1-2 | Clarke | e4.org | PSALM CXLI The psalmist prays that his devotions may be accepted , 1, 2. That he may be enabled so to watch that he do not offend with his tongue; and that he may be preserved from wickedness , 3, 4. His willingness to receive reproof , 5. He complains of disasters , 6, 7. His trust in God, and prayer against his enemies , 8-10. NOTES ON PSALM CXLI This Psalm is generally attributed to David , and considered to have been composed during his persecution by Saul. Some suppose that he made it at the time that he formed the resolution to go to Achish, king of Gath ; see . It is generally thought to be an evening prayer , and has long been used as such in the service of the Greek Church. It is in several places very obscure. Verse 1. Lord, I cry unto thee ] Many of David's Psalms begin with complaints ; but they are not those of habitual plaint and peevishness . He was in frequent troubles and difficulties, and he always sought help in God. He ever appears in earnest; at no time is there any evidence that the devotion of David was formal . He prayed, meditated, supplicated, groaned, cried , and even roared , as he tells us, for the disquietude of his soul. He had speedy answers; for he had much faith , and was always in earnest .

‏ Psalms 141:1-2

PSALM CXLI

The psalmist prays that his devotions may be accepted, 1, 2.

That he may be enabled so to watch that he do not offend with his tongue; and that he may be preserved from wickedness, 3, 4.

His willingness to receive reproof, 5.

He complains of disasters, 6, 7.

His trust in God, and prayer against his enemies, 8-10.

NOTES ON PSALM CXLI

This Psalm is generally attributed to David, and considered to have been composed during his persecution by Saul. Some suppose that he made it at the time that he formed the resolution to go to Achish, king of Gath; see 1Sa 27:1-3. It is generally thought to be an evening prayer, and has long been used as such in the service of the Greek Church. It is in several places very obscure.

Verse 1. Lord, I cry unto thee] Many of David's Psalms begin with complaints; but they are not those of habitual plaint and peevishness. He was in frequent troubles and difficulties, and he always sought help in God. He ever appears in earnest; at no time is there any evidence that the devotion of David was formal. He prayed, meditated, supplicated, groaned, cried, and even roared, as he tells us, for the disquietude of his soul. He had speedy answers; for he had much faith, and was always in earnest.

Verse 2. As incense] Incense was offered every morning and evening before the Lord, on the golden altar, before the veil of the sanctuary. Ex 29:39, and Nu 28:4.

As the evening sacrifice.] This was a burnt-offering, accompanied with flour and salt. But it does not appear that David refers to any sacrifice, for he uses not zebach, which is almost universally used for a slaughtered animal; but minchah, which is generally taken for a gratitude-offering or unbloody sacrifice. The literal translation of the passage is, "Let my prayer be established for incense before thy faces; and the lifting up of my hands for the evening oblation." The psalmist appears to have been at this time at a distance from the sanctuary, and therefore could not perform the Divine worship in the way prescribed by the law. What could he do? Why, as he could not worship according to the letter of the law, he will worship God according to the spirit; then prayer is accepted in the place of incense; and the lifting up of his hands, in gratitude and self-dedication to God, is accepted in the place of the evening minchah or oblation. Who can deplore the necessity that obliged the psalmist to worship God in this way?