The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 141:3

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips (comp. Psalms 39:1). David's was a hasty, impetuous temper, which required sharp control. He strove to "keep his own mouth with a bridle"—to " be dumb with silence, and hold his peace"—but this was not always possible for him of his own unassisted strength.

He therefore makes his prayer to God for the Divine help.

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Matthew Henry on Psalms 141:1-4Psalms 141:1-4 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryMake haste unto me. Those that know how to value God's gracious presence, will be the more fervent in their prayers. When presented through the sacrifice and intercession of the Saviour, they will be as acceptable to Go…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 141:1-10Psalms 141:1-10 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION ALMOST wholly a psalm of supplication. David is again in danger, and needs a prompt deliverance (Psalms 141:1). This time the danger seems to be that he may fall away, and be absorbed into the company of the…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 141:1-10Psalms 141:1-10 · The Pulpit CommentaryAcceptable sacrifices. The more distinctive teaching of this psalm respects— I. THE SACRIFICE OF PRAYER. (Psalms 141:2, Psalms 141:8, Psalms 141:9.) When the sacrificial services of the tabernacle (or temple) could not…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 141:1-10Psalms 141:1-10 · The Pulpit CommentaryKeep me from the snares. This difficult psalm seems to be the cry of a greatly tempted soul. And the temptation now did not arise so much from the persecutions of the ungodly as from their seducing favors—what he calls…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 141:1-10Psalms 141:1-10 · The Pulpit CommentaryA comprehensive prayer. The psalm has some peculiar difficulties, due to the extreme abruptness with which the thoughts follow one another, and the great obscurity which hangs over the allusions. Let us try and select t…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 141:3Psalms 141:3 · The Pulpit CommentaryKeep the door of my lips. How needed is a sentinel and guard at the door! For lack of it, what mischief has been wrought! Who can recount all the ills of unguarded speech? I. LIP-SINS: THEIR CAUSE. 1. Impulsive temperam…

commentaryMatthew Henry on Psalms 141:1-4Make haste unto me. Those that know how to value God's gracious presence, will be the more fervent in their prayers. When presented through the sacrifice and intercession of the Saviour, they will be as acceptable to Go…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 141:1-10EXPOSITION ALMOST wholly a psalm of supplication. David is again in danger, and needs a prompt deliverance (Psalms 141:1). This time the danger seems to be that he may fall away, and be absorbed into the company of the…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 141:1-10A comprehensive prayer. The psalm has some peculiar difficulties, due to the extreme abruptness with which the thoughts follow one another, and the great obscurity which hangs over the allusions. Let us try and select t…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 141:1-10Acceptable sacrifices. The more distinctive teaching of this psalm respects— I. THE SACRIFICE OF PRAYER. (Psalms 141:2, Psalms 141:8, Psalms 141:9.) When the sacrificial services of the tabernacle (or temple) could not…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 141:1-10Keep me from the snares. This difficult psalm seems to be the cry of a greatly tempted soul. And the temptation now did not arise so much from the persecutions of the ungodly as from their seducing favors—what he calls…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 141:3The power of human speech for good and evil. There is, perhaps, no other power given us by God which more evidently distinguishes us from the beasts, than the power of intelligent speech. And perhaps we have no power th…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 141:3Our lip-watchman. Our lips are poetically presented as the door of our mouth. A man's heart is not to be trusted as an inspirer of speech. Every man needs to have the speech examined and tested before it is let pass the…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 141:3Keep the door of my lips. How needed is a sentinel and guard at the door! For lack of it, what mischief has been wrought! Who can recount all the ills of unguarded speech? I. LIP-SINS: THEIR CAUSE. 1. Impulsive temperam…Joseph S. Exell and contributors