Lord, hurry to help me as I pray to you with incense and raised hands in the evening.
Guard my mouth and my lips, turning my heart away from the temptation to do evil things.
Let the righteous rebuke me and I will receive it as such rebuke is a kindness.
But I do pray against the wicked. And when their rulers are destroyed they will listen.
We have been hunted and killed to the point that our bones are scattered at the mouth of the dead.
But I seek refuge in You. Don’t let me die.
Protect me from the traps they have set for me.
Let the wicked fall into the nets they have made for me, and let me pass by safety.
—
In many ways this psalm has been a familiar tone-a prayer of protection from the enemies. But how it starts while not totally unique, is still special.
It is the prayer with raised hands in the evening, and a call to help him keep his mouth shut. But also a willingness to receive rebuke from the wise and the righteous.
Do I deal with problems and conflict that way? Praying in the evening with upraised arms? Asking God to guard my words? And having a genuine openness to correction and rebuke?
