A Davidic Song

A Prayer for Maturity

1LORD, I call to you,

be quick to listen to me when I cry out!

2Let my prayer be like incense offered before you,

and my uplifted hands like the evening sacrifice.

3LORD, set a guard over my mouth;

keep watch over the door to my lips.

4Don’t let my heart turn toward evil

or involve itself in wicked activities

with men who practice iniquity.

Let me not feast on their delicacies.

5Let one who is righteous strike me;

It is an act of gracious love.

Let him rebuke me,

because it is oil for my head;

do not let my head refuse it.

My prayers continuously will be

against their wicked activities.

6When their judges are thrown off the cliff,

the peoplea will hear my words,

for they are appropriate.

7Just as one plows and breaks up the earth,

ourb bones are scattered

near the entrance to the place of the dead.c

8Nevertheless, my eyes are on you, Lord GOD,

as I seek protection in you.

Don’t leave me defenseless!

9Protect me from the trap laid for me

and from the snares of those who practice evil.

10Let the wicked fall into their own nets,

while I come through.