What is the meaning of Psalm 141:4?

Do not let my heart be drawn to any evil thing

David begins where every moral battle is won or lost—the heart. He asks the Lord to guard the inner desires that steer his will.

• Psalm 119:10–11 reminds us, “I seek You with all my heart… I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You”.

• Proverbs 4:23 urges, “Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life.”

• James 1:14 depicts temptation’s path: “Each one is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desires.”

When the heart is surrendered to God, evil loses its magnetism. Like David, we can pray, “Lord, redirect my affections so they point toward You, not toward sin.”

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or take part in works of wickedness with men who do iniquity

Next, David moves from private desire to public action. He recognizes that sinful deeds often grow out of sinful alliances.

• Proverbs 1:10 cautions, “My son, if sinners entice you, do not yield.”

• 1 Corinthians 15:33 warns, “Bad company corrupts good character.”

• Ephesians 5:11 tells believers to “have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.”

The psalmist is not advocating isolation but discernment—choosing companionship that encourages righteousness instead of compromise.

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let me not feast on their delicacies

Sin can look tasteful, even luxurious, yet it nourishes nothing good. David prays to resist the seductive rewards that accompany wrongdoing.

• Proverbs 23:1–3 portrays the danger of a ruler’s table: “Put a knife to your throat if you have a big appetite… the food is deceptive.”

• Daniel 1:8 shows Daniel declining the king’s rich fare to remain undefiled.

• Hebrews 11:25 commends Moses for choosing “to suffer affliction with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasure of sin.”

David understands that indulging in the “delicacies” of iniquity numbs spiritual hunger and erodes integrity.

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summary

Psalm 141:4 is a threefold prayer for protection: guard my heart from craving evil, keep my feet from partnering in evil, and shield my appetite from the attractive rewards of evil. The verse invites believers to ask God to shape their desires, friendships, and enjoyments so that every part of life reflects His holiness.