“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting.”

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And when we are in need, Hebrews 4:16 encourages, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

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Verse 2 - Let my prayer be counted as incense before you,
and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!

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David’s prayer being like pleasing incense before God echoes Revelation 5:8, refering to the “golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints” in heaven. Our prayers of adoration, worship, and even the urgent, “Lord, help me!” are all being stored by God as an affectionate collection that He enjoys.

 

Lifting up hands would be a desperate plea for help in this prayer. The evening sacrifice is the daily ritual required by God which includes a daily sacrifice of a lamb. Their relationship with God was meant to be daily, constant, and on the forefront of their minds, just as God desires with us.

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Verse 3 - Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth;
keep watch over the door of my lips!

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How we all need to pray this request often! Guard my mouth; help me to control what I say! Our words may seem inconsequential, but in reality they can destroy relationships, dishonor God, injure others, and ultimately reveal what is in our hearts. Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” As my children were growing up, I would often ask them, “Are you speaking life to this person, or are you speaking death?”

 

Jesus taught this truth: “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” Whatever is in our hearts eventually will pop out!

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Keeping watch over the door brings to mind the image of a fortified and guarded city gate; every entry and exit is monitored. Asking God to keep watch over my words is very wise! Oh how many fewer regrets we would have if we ask the Lord to keep watch over whatever comes out of our mouth!

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This takes the utmost discipline, and directly aligns with the fruits of the spirit. If we used self-control to say only what was loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, loyal and true, and gentle, would not our relationships change? Would not we change?

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Verse 4 - Do not let my heart incline to any evil

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David petitions God to keep his heart safe in His hands; we all know how we are prone to wander from God. David asks God to keep his heart from being swayed. Sin begins inwardly before it is committed outwardly. In Matthew 15:19-20 Jesus said, “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person.”

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James 1:14-15 describes the process like this: “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” It is wise to cut off a potential sin in the developmental stage, when temptation to engage a thought is lurking in your mind. Remember, temptation itself is not sin, although it may produce a feeling of guilt; acting on that temptation is the sin.

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to busy myself with wicked deeds

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Asking God for protection from temptation and the next step, from acting on it, is the art of holy living. A holy and righteous life is expected from a believer; nothing short of that is acceptable. 1 Peter 1:13-16 says, “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” A holy life is exemplified by a person that chooses what God desires, which is not yielding to temptation and acting on one’s impulses and desires to sin.

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in company with men who work iniquity, and let me not eat of their delicacies!

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Which brings us to another factor in the sin process of thoughts → desires → temptation → sin: the influence of others. Our friends, business associates, coworkers, and family have a sphere of influence over us, maybe more than we realize. As much as it is possible, it is wise to surround ourselves with other people also striving for holiness. Our companions really do affect our life's outcome.

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Ephesians 5:7-10 says, “Do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.” 

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The delicacies are the delicious-looking forbidden morsels that we are oh-so-tempted to take a nibble! David knows that trading the temporary satisfaction of sin is not worth the price of losing his fellowship with God.

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Verse 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.

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David is saying here that he is willing to take correction if need be; he would rather be called out on a sin and humiliated than be flattered and continue in sin. Oil, in the Levant culture, refers to refreshment, healing, and preservation.

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Yet my prayer is continually against their evil deeds.

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David desires holiness not only for himself, but for his entire kingdom.

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Verse 6 - When their judges are thrown over the cliff, then they shall hear my words, for they are pleasant.

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There will always be the downfall in corrupt rulers, politicians, judges, and leaders. Those who rule with violence, injustice, and sin will have their own day in the Court of God. God’s righteous and perfect ruling will be the ultimate satisfaction of justice in the New Eden. God’s righteous truth is truly pleasant and welcomed to those desiring to honor him.

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Verse 7 - As when one plows and breaks up the earth, so shall our bones be scattered at the mouth of Sheol.

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Plowing the earth and turning over hard clumps of soil and stones shows a picture of the ruins of the people. Their scattered, unburied bones picture destruction and humiliation. However, David continues looking to God as the next line is prophetic in believers brought to the brink of the grave but not entering it because Jesus overcame death and the grave.

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Verse 8 - But my eyes are toward you, O God, my Lord; in you I seek refuge; leave me not defenseless.

 

David returns again to his commitment of giving his full attention to the Lord. Hebrews 12:2-3 walks along the same idea, "looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” When we consider the commitment that Jesus had to see through his sacrifice for each of us, it strengthens our commitment to continue in a holy life, resisting temptation, and keeping our complete attention on God and his desires.

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God himself is the refuge, not just the provider of the refuge. He protects us in our own selfishness and temptations; he has sent the Holy Spirit to not only remind us of what we already know to be good and right, but also to teach us what we don’t know. In John 14:26, Jesus explains, "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”

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David trusts his life and soul, both now and in eternity, with God. He describes this simple yet strong trust in Psalm 23: The Lord is his Shepherd . . . he will fear no evil. David trusts his Shepherd to protect him, guide him, care for him, and to only give him good things.

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Verse 9 - Keep me from the trap that they have laid for me and from the snares of evildoers!

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David is asking God for discernment in his life from the traps and snares of the wicked. These traps and snares could cause false accusations or tricks to make a bad decision. Often these include people who don’t have our best interest in mind, and we may be susceptible to slander, lies, and betrayal. Or the traps and snares could possibly could be entrapment in some enticing temptation.

 

Either way, our source of safety must come from God our Refuge, following his commandments, and abiding by the wisdom he has already promised to give us (James 1:5). Jesus knew all about these sort of people when he advised his disciples to be “be wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16).

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Verse 10 - Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by safely.

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David knows how this scenario of evil-doers will play out in the end: they will be trapped in their own schemes and lies. Their punishment will be well-deserved. But for us who are striving to live holy and righteous lives, God is already our Safe Haven. He will give us strength to resist and endure temptation, wisdom to see through the schemes of the wicked, and a peace that comes from resting in him through all of it.

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Further Reading: Romans 6, Psalm 131