Keep 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 "their dainties" (Psalms 141:4). And he seems to have found this even harder to resist than their cruelty and harshness. Consider—
I. THE SPIRIT OF THIS PRAYER.
1. Note its impassioned earnestness. (Psalms 141:1.) "Lord, I cry unto thee." No mere formal, ordinary prayer, but a pleading cry.
2. He pleads for haste on the part of the Lord. He can bear no delay.
3. That his cry may find much acceptance. (Psalms 141:2.) The burning of incense was one chief part of the evening sacrifice, and the meaning of it was to set forth, by its fragrance and sweet odor, the acceptableness of sincere believing prayer. Hence the psalmist here seeks that his cry may be thus acceptable before God.
II. ITS SUBSTANCE. His enemies, by bribes, favors, and blandishments of one kind and another, are seeking to lead him astray from God. Hence he prays:
1. That he may not commit himself by rash and unguarded speech. (Psalms 141:3.) What a peril and a snare this is to many! How often have they found themselves entrapped and entangled by some hasty utterance, which should never have passed their lips! These doors open too quickly and too easily, and let out what should be kept in; they need a watchman to guard them and to determine when they shall or shall not be opened, and only the Lord can set that watch. Happy the man for whom he does this!
2. That his heart may be kept true. (Psalms 141:4.) It is a blessed thing when our external conduct is kept right, when our hands are tied by God's providence, and so held in from mischief; but it is better far when our hearts are made right, so that they will have no desire for evil things. And God will do this for us. "The blood of Jesus Christ … cleanseth from all sin."
3. That the dainties of the wicked may not seduce him. Thus do they persuade men of unstable mind to practice wicked works. The way is smoothed, made to seem so attractive and right, just as our first parents were tempted, for theirs was the pattern of all successful temptation. The devil has great store of these "dainties;" he knows how to suit all tastes and to please all palates.
4. That he may not lack a faithful reprover. (Psalms 141:5.) There are plentiful prophets who will prophesy smooth things for the sin-loving soul; but faithful Micaiahs (1 Kings 22:8) are few and far between. But the psalmist here prays that he may never want for such. Let us pray the little prayer. How many go wrong just for want of such faithful reproof! Those who should reprove often shrink from their duty, for it is the reverse of pleasant.
5. That his soul may not perish. (Psalms 141:8.) That its life may not be poured out,—such is the meaning of the word; emptied as a vessel. He was in sore peril; his enemies by "their dainties" were devising all manner of stratagem against him—snares, gins, nets.
6. That in spite of all, he may escape.
III. HIS CONFIDENT HOPE. (Psalms 141:6.) That when the leaders, the rulers and judges, who led the way in wickedness,—when they were hurled down the rock (cf. 2 Chronicles 25:12; 2 Kings 9:33), then their followers would hear his words and welcome them. Let the ringleaders be got out of the way; the rest would gladly listen to godly counsels. And these leaders in evil deserved such doom; for they had been cruel persecutors of the people of God (Psalms 141:7), whose bones were scattered along the borders of the grave in vast numbers, like so many furrows made by the plough. And for such turning of the hearts of the people and for his own escape from his present trial he would continually wait on God, for God was his trust (Psalms 141:8). Hence he confidently hoped to see the wicked leaders destroyed, their followers converted, and his own soul kept by the grace of God. Such prayers will ever inspire such hopes.—S.C.