Psalm 141:5 kjv
Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.
Psalm 141:5 nkjv
Let the righteous strike me; It shall be a kindness. And let him rebuke me; It shall be as excellent oil; Let my head not refuse it. For still my prayer is against the deeds of the wicked.
Psalm 141:5 niv
Let a righteous man strike me?that is a kindness; let him rebuke me?that is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it, for my prayer will still be against the deeds of evildoers.
Psalm 141:5 esv
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 141:5 nlt
Let the godly strike me!
It will be a kindness!
If they correct me, it is soothing medicine.
Don't let me refuse it.
But I pray constantly
against the wicked and their deeds.
Psalm 141 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 9:8 | Do not reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you. | Wisdom embraces correction. |
| Prov 27:6 | Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. | Honest rebuke from a friend is valuable. |
| Prov 15:31-32 | The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. Whoever ignores instruction despises himself. | Value of listening to wise instruction. |
| Prov 25:12 | Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear. | Wise rebuke is precious. |
| Heb 12:5-6 | "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you; because the Lord disciplines the one he loves." | God's loving discipline. |
| Job 5:17 | Blessed is the one whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. | Divine correction as a blessing. |
| Prov 29:1 | He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, will suddenly be destroyed. | Danger of rejecting correction. |
| Prov 1:24-31 | Because I have called and you refused to listen... I will mock when terror strikes you. | Consequences of ignoring wisdom. |
| Prov 15:8 | The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is His delight. | Contrast between wicked and righteous prayer. |
| Prov 28:9 | If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination. | Disobedience renders prayer futile. |
| Ps 23:5 | You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. | Anointing as a sign of blessing/honor. |
| Lk 7:46 | You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. | Anointing as a gesture of hospitality/honor. |
| Jas 4:6 | God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. | Humility crucial for receiving grace/correction. |
| 1 Pet 5:5 | Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. | Call for humility in relationships. |
| Ps 19:12 | Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. | Acknowledging personal sin and need for insight. |
| Ps 139:23-24 | Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me. | Prayer for divine examination and guidance. |
| 1 Cor 11:32 | When we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world. | Divine judgment and discipline for believers. |
| Rev 3:19 | Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be zealous and repent. | Christ's loving discipline for repentance. |
| Prov 11:14 | Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety. | Importance of seeking wise counsel. |
| Jer 17:9-10 | The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick... I the Lord search the heart. | Recognition of inherent human sinfulness. |
Psalm 141 verses
Psalm 141 5 Meaning
Psalm 141:5 expresses the psalmist's deep desire for correction from the righteous, viewing it not as an insult or harm, but as an act of loving-kindness that is beneficial and comforting, akin to anointing oil. This desire stands in stark contrast to the wicked, against whose evil actions the psalmist continually prays. It reveals a heart humble enough to accept rebuke for growth, while actively opposing unrighteousness.
Psalm 141 5 Context
Psalm 141 is a personal lament and prayer of David, likely composed during a time of danger and exile (perhaps from Saul or Absalom) where he was surrounded by adversaries and faced moral compromises. He cries out to God for deliverance, seeking divine restraint over his own mouth and heart to avoid sin (verses 3-4). Verse 5 fits into this prayer by expressing a desire to remain upright even amidst wickedness. David contrasts the humble reception of godly correction with the contempt for evil actions, praying against those who entice him towards sin. It underscores a commitment to spiritual integrity and righteous living despite external pressures and internal struggles.
Psalm 141 5 Word analysis
Let a righteous man strike me (הֶעַנִי, he’aniy): From the root ʿanah (עָנָה), meaning "to afflict," "humble," or "to respond/testify." While literally meaning 'to strike' or 'smite,' in this moral context, it signifies a strong form of rebuke, correction, or chastisement that addresses personal error directly. The psalmist desires such confrontation from someone aligned with God's ways. This polemics against the cultural tendency to resent or ignore correction, viewing it as an affront to honor rather than a pathway to virtue.
it shall be a kindness (חֶסֶד, chesed): This profound Hebrew term encompasses loyal love, covenant faithfulness, steadfast love, and mercy. Attributing chesed to a sharp rebuke elevates it beyond mere criticism. It portrays correction as an act rooted in loving commitment, intended for one's good. It suggests that a true righteous person corrects out of love, not malice.
and let him rebuke me (וְיוֹכִיחֵנִי, ve'yokhiycheniy): From yakach (יָכַח), meaning "to argue," "decide," "reprove," "correct," "judge." It implies an uncovering of wrong or an exposure of truth that leads to conviction or rectification. This type of rebuke isnieves for insight and repentance, unlike superficial or self-serving criticism.
it shall be as oil on my head (שֶׁמֶן רֹאשׁ, shemen rosh): Oil was universally precious in ancient Israel. Applied to the head, it symbolized anointing, blessing, healing, refreshment, honor, joy, and even a sense of being set apart (Ps 23:5; Lk 7:46). The imagery conveys that a righteous rebuke, despite its initial sting, is ultimately restorative, brings honor, and imparts comfort, rather than causing harm or "breaking" the recipient. It transforms potential shame into a blessing, demonstrating a radical spiritual perspective on criticism. This stands in sharp contrast to the painful blow it represents, implying its pleasant, soothing, and honorable effect on one who accepts it.
My prayer (tefillah) be continually (ʿōd) against their evil deeds: This shifts abruptly to the psalmist's active stance against wickedness. Tefillah denotes a structured prayer, often supplication. ʿōd means "still," "yet," "again," or "continually." The psalmist pledges to persist in prayer specifically targeted at the evil actions of his enemies. This is not passive observation but an active spiritual opposition. This polemicizes against indifference to sin or silent compliance, advocating for fervent opposition through spiritual warfare.
"Let a righteous man strike me... as oil on my head": This phrase represents a profound paradigm shift. It turns what could be perceived as harm (a "strike") into a blessing (an anointing). It reflects a humble and mature understanding that divine truth delivered through a godly person, even if initially uncomfortable, is for one's spiritual well-being and honor. It underlines that wisdom is acquired through openess to uncomfortable truth.
"My prayer be continually against their evil deeds": This forms a striking contrast. While the psalmist welcomes internal correction from the righteous, he vehemently opposes external wickedness. His spiritual fight is against evil deeds, not against the righteous who correct him. This dichotomy emphasizes discerning between beneficial guidance and destructive influence, affirming God’s kingdom over the corrupt world. It's a prayer of interposition and a petition for God's justice and sovereignty over malevolent forces.
Psalm 141 5 Bonus section
The choice of "oil on my head" is highly significant. In ancient times, oil was used to soothe wounds, for festive anointing, to prepare priests and kings for sacred service, and as a mark of hospitality. To equate a painful strike with such a benevolent symbol signifies that genuine correction, while piercing, ultimately brings healing, consecration, and a sense of God's presence and approval. This implies a desire for sanctification through means God provides, even if those means are sharp and corrective. This mindset sets the true believer apart from those who resist God’s shaping hand or who are embittered by any form of truthful confrontation.
Psalm 141 5 Commentary
Psalm 141:5 beautifully articulates the heart of a truly wise individual who prizes godly instruction over personal pride. David yearns for honest, righteous critique, recognizing it as an act of divine love that brings spiritual refreshment and honor, rather than affliction. He equates it with the soothing, esteemed sensation of oil, indicative of God’s blessing and favor upon one who embraces humility. This deep desire for personal holiness through disciplined living is contrasted with his unwavering spiritual resistance against the wicked. He refuses to participate in their corrupt practices and commits to active, ongoing prayer specifically targeted against their evil deeds, not just their persons. The verse is a testament to spiritual maturity: openness to uncomfortable truth for one's growth and active, persistent opposition to the works of unrighteousness. It exemplifies discerning God's voice in rebuke and acting decisively against evil.