Psalm 141 3

Psalm 141:3 kjv

Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.

Psalm 141:3 nkjv

Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.

Psalm 141:3 niv

Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.

Psalm 141:3 esv

Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!

Psalm 141:3 nlt

Take control of what I say, O LORD,
and guard my lips.

Psalm 141 verses

Psalm 141 3 Meaning

Psalm 141:3 is a heartfelt prayer by King David, an earnest plea for divine intervention to control his speech. He asks the Lord to establish a diligent guard over his mouth and to actively watch over the opening of his lips. This expresses a profound recognition of the tongue's power to sin and a humble admission of his own inability to perfectly control it without God's sovereign help, particularly amidst difficult circumstances or temptation to speak unadvisedly.

Psalm 141 3 Context

Psalm 141 is a personal lament and prayer attributed to David, likely composed during a time of intense trial and danger, possibly when he was fleeing King Saul. The psalm begins with an urgent cry to the Lord, pleading for his prayer to be heard swiftly. David expresses a desire that his prayer ascend like incense and the lifting of his hands be like the evening sacrifice, indicating a humble, reverent appeal. Amidst the threats from his enemies and the temptation to align with the wicked or succumb to despair, David's core concern in verse 3 is to maintain his integrity, especially concerning his speech. He seeks divine guardianship over his words, knowing that an unguarded tongue can lead to sin, either by complaining against God, speaking deceptively to enemies, or uttering unholy words under duress. This prayer stands as a vital link between the inner integrity and the outward manifestation of one's walk with God, crucial in times of distress and spiritual vulnerability.

Psalm 141 3 Word analysis

• Set (שִׁיתָה - shitha): An imperative verb meaning "to put," "place," or "appoint." It signifies a direct, urgent plea for God to actively install or assign something specific. David isn't merely asking for help but for a decisive, established act of divine control.
• a guard (שׁוֹמֵרָה - shomerah): From the root shamar, meaning "to watch," "keep," "guard," "preserve." It refers to a watchful protector or sentinel. This isn't a passive lock, but an active, vigilant watchman appointed by God Himself, highlighting the intensity and ongoing nature of the requested oversight.
• O Lord (אֲדֹנָי - Adonai): A title emphasizing God's sovereignty, mastery, and lordship. David addresses God as his Master, underscoring his complete submission and dependence on divine authority to control what he cannot fully control himself. It is a personal address that elevates the plea.
• over my mouth (עַל־פִּי - al-pi): Literally "upon my mouth." The mouth is the instrument of all verbal expression—words of praise, complaint, truth, or falsehood. This direct reference signifies the precise location of the desired divine control.
• keep watch (שָׁמְרָה - shomra): This is a Piel imperative form of shamar, intensifying the meaning of "guard" to "diligently keep," "carefully observe," or "continually watch." It reiterates and amplifies the request for active, continuous, and meticulous supervision, stressing David's profound need for divine vigilance over his words.
• over the door (דֶּלֶת - delet): Literally "door" or "gate." This is a potent metaphor. A door functions as a barrier or a point of controlled entry/exit. It implies discretion and regulation—only certain things should pass through, and only at certain times, reinforcing the idea of a necessary restraint on impulsive speech.
• of my lips (שְׂפָתָי - sefatay): "My lips," the physical agents that form speech, acting as the immediate "door" through which words emerge. The shift from "mouth" to the more specific "lips" reinforces the detailed and precise nature of the control David seeks over the very portal of his words.

• "Set a guard... keep watch": This repetition and slight variation underscore the earnestness and deep spiritual insight of the prayer. "Set a guard" suggests establishing a defensive perimeter, while "keep watch" implies continuous, active vigilance within that boundary. David is praying not just for an initial barrier, but for constant divine monitoring against the dangers of unholy or inappropriate speech. It reveals a recognition of both immediate temptation and ongoing spiritual battle.
• "mouth" vs. "door of my lips": These phrases function as a parallelism that intensifies the request. "Mouth" is general, representing the source of speech. "Door of my lips" provides a vivid, specific image of a regulated portal, emphasizing the controlled outflow of words. It points to a conscious and divine regulation of the flow of speech, like controlling access to a sacred space.

Psalm 141 3 Bonus section

This verse reflects a proactive stance in spiritual warfare. David doesn't wait until he has sinned with his mouth to pray for repentance; he anticipates the temptation and asks God for preventative protection. This pre-emptive prayer demonstrates a high degree of self-awareness and humility, acknowledging the innate human propensity to err without divine grace. It also highlights the Biblical understanding that external behavior (speech) is intricately linked to internal condition (the heart), yet God's intervention is needed to fortify both. The desire for God's "guard" and "watch" is not a surrender of personal responsibility but a humble recognition that complete mastery of the tongue is a work of sanctification best accomplished through divine empowerment.

Psalm 141 3 Commentary

Psalm 141:3 offers a timeless lesson on the critical importance of speech and humanity's inherent struggle to control the tongue. David's prayer is not merely a request for divine prevention of outright falsehoods, but a comprehensive plea for his words to always align with God's will, especially when under immense pressure. He recognized the insidious power of the tongue, as capable of destruction as creation, and his own human fallibility in restraining it. This verse teaches us that guarding our speech is not solely an act of self-discipline, but an ongoing reliance on God's active involvement. It implies that true purity of speech stems from a heart that is continually submitted to and guarded by the Lord. This plea for external control reveals a deep understanding that the words we speak are manifestations of our inner heart, and thus, true speech control is a spiritual discipline requiring divine aid. It serves as a model prayer for all believers to daily commit their speech to the Lord, especially to prevent murmuring, gossip, hasty words, or unedifying comments that dishonor God or harm others.