April 11
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PSALM 141
O LORD, I call upon you; hasten to me!
Give ear to my voice when I call to you!
2 Let my prayer be counted as incense before you,
and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!
3 Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth;
keep watch over the door of my lips!
4 Do not let my heart incline to any evil,
to busy myself with wicked deeds
in company with men who work iniquity,
and let me not eat of their delicacies!
5 Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness;
let him rebuke me—it is oil for my head; let my head not refuse it.
Yet my prayer is continually against their evil deeds.
– Psalm 141:1-5
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PSALM 141 LET ME BE OPEN TO REBUKE O LORD!
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
My Lord, I plead your lovingkindness to guard my heart
It is from my inmost being that brings about sin and strife
Because of my sin nature, it is easy for me to follow my cravings
Rebuke me O Lord each time I commit anything that is displeasing.
Cover my mouth each time it utters anything that is not true
Let my lips speak only of your words or else pain and sorrow ensue
Do not let me desire material things or wealth since it is covetousness
Keep me busy following your commands so I can follow uprightness.
Hear my pleadings and be gracious to my prayers for I am in anguish
How long O Lord before you set things with the wicked?
Let me be open to rebuke so I can go against my flesh
Keep me holy and guard my heart so I can overcome sin
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REFLECTION
• Why should a Christian be open to rebuke especially from the communion of saints? What happens if they get offended when corrected?