Psalm 141:3

3 Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD, keep watch over the door of my lips!

Psalm 141:3 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 141:3

Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth
While praying, as Jarchi and Kimchi; that he might not utter any rash, unguarded, and unbecoming word; but take and use the words which God gives, even the taught words of the Holy Ghost; or lest, being under affliction and oppression, he should speak unadvisedly with his lips, and utter any impatient murmuring and repining word against God; or express any fretfulness at the prosperity of the wicked, or speak evil of them; especially of Saul, the Lord's anointed, for the ill usage of him; keep the door of my lips;
which are as a door that opens and shuts: this he desires might be kept as with a bridle, especially while the wicked were before him; lest he should say anything they would use against him, and to the reproach of religion; and that no corrupt communication, or any foolish and filthy talk, or idle and unprofitable words, might proceed from them. The phrase signifies the same as the other; he was sensible of his own inability to keep a proper watch and guard over his words, as was necessary, and therefore prays the Lord to do it; see ( Psalms 39:1 ) .

Psalm 141:3 In-Context

1 A Psalm of David. I call upon thee, O LORD; make haste to me! Give ear to my voice, when I call to thee!

2 Let my prayer be counted as incense before thee, and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice!

3 Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD, keep watch over the door of my lips!

4 Incline not my heart to any evil, to busy myself with wicked deeds in company with men who work iniquity; and let me not eat of their dainties!

5 Let a good man strike or rebuke me in kindness, but let the oil of the wicked never anoint my head; for my prayer is continually against their wicked deeds.