An Evening Prayer for Sanctification and Protection.

A Psalm of David.

1LORD, I call upon You; hurry to me.

Listen to my voice when I call to You.

2Let my prayer be counted as incense before You;

The lifting up of my hands as the evening offering.

3Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth;

Keep watch over the door of my lips [to keep me from speaking thoughtlessly].

4Do not incline my heart to [consent to or tolerate] any evil thing,

Or to practice deeds of wickedness

With men who plan and do evil;

And let me not eat of their delicacies (be tempted by their gain).

5Let the righteous [thoughtfully] strike (correct) me--it is a kindness [done to encourage my spiritual maturity].

It is [the choicest anointing] oil on the head;

Let my head not refuse [to accept and acknowledge and learn from] it;

For still my prayer is against their wicked deeds.

6Their [wicked, godless] judges are thrown down the sides of the rocky cliff,

And they [who followed them] will hear my words, for they are pleasant (just).

7As when the one plows and breaks open the ground [and the soil scatters behind him],

Our bones have been scattered at the mouth of Sheol [by the injustices of the wicked].

8For my eyes are toward You, O GOD, the Lord;

In You I take refuge; do not pour out my life nor leave me defenseless.

9Keep me from the jaws of the trap which they have set for me,

And from the snares of those who do evil.

10Let the wicked fall into their own nets,

While I pass by and safely escape [from danger].