Psalm 141 (140):1Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Contrary to the belief that this psalm is straightforward and lacks depth, it possesses obscurity capable of awakening even those in the deepest slumber. Consider the question: "What does it mean to say, ‘do not incline my heart to evil words’?" And then ponder the phrase, 'The righteous man will instruct me graciously and rebuke me,’ which is indeed a profound mystery. The subsequent lines present further enigmas: ‘But also my prayer (may it not be) in favour with them. Their judges were devoured near the rock, my words were heard, for they are mighty.’ Despite the complexities found within this psalm, many gloss over it lightly, treating it as just another song.

However, let us not burden ourselves with excessive reproach as we explain these words. Listen attentively, for I believe the early church wisely prescribed the nightly recitation of this psalm, not without purpose and not for any solitary phrase. The expression ‘The lifting up of my hands shall be (as) the evening sacrifice’ finds a place in other psalms too: ‘Evening and morning and noon I will tell, and proclaim, and He shall hear my voice’ (Psalms 54:18). There is also, “Thine is the day and Thine is the night” (Psalms 73:16), and again, “in the evening there shall be weeping, and in the morning there shall be joy” (Psalms 29:6), with numerous psalms suitable for evening prayer. Thus, the fathers selected this psalm to be read not just for its content, but as a beneficial remedy for the cleansing of our sins. It serves to purify whatever may have sullied us during the day, whether in public, at home, or elsewhere, accomplished through this sacred song.

This psalm also resonates in the morning; it inflames our love for God, awakens our souls, and, once filled with goodness and devotion, prepares us for the tasks ahead. Consider its opening and the message it imparts: ‘My God, my God, to Thee I turn from the morning, my soul hath longed for Thee’ (Psalm 62:2). Here lies a testament to a fervent heart. Where there is love for God, evil cannot dwell; where there is remembrance of God, sin fades away. ‘Thus would I appear unto Thee in the sanctuary, to see Thy power and Thy glory!’ (Psalm 62:3). This longing for God’s grandeur reflects heartfelt devotion, seeking to behold His glory manifest in all creation.

Yet, shifting our focus back to the message of this psalm, what does the prophet declare? ‘O Lord, I have cried unto Thee, hear me.’ Is your appeal for divine attention solely based on your cries? Should one's loudness dictate the effectiveness of prayer? Such a notion is unreasonable. Does not the quiet plea of a humble heart carry weight? Moses, who spoke humbly, was heard more than those who cried aloud yet lacked sincerity. God did not heed the clamorous prayers of the Jews, who called out most fervently. Loudness is neither a virtue nor a flaw, as many who possess natural advantages may still act wickedly. Absalom’s beauty did not ensure his righteousness, nor did Elisha's baldness detract from his witness.

Let us reflect on the essence of the Psalmist’s cry: ‘Lord, I have cried unto Thee, hear me,’ which signifies an inner lament articulated by a repented heart, one that resonates with God. Just as a person exerts energy in a loud shout, so too must one fully devote their mind and spirit in prayer. This is the fervency God desires—a cry emerging from an earnest heart, compelling and attentive. Yet, many pray without truly engaging their minds, uttering words devoid of understanding. Such utterances do not reach God—not like Moses’ sincere outcry, which was later met with divine inquiry: ‘Why do you cry out to Me?’ (Exodus 14:15).

Observing others who genuinely sought the Lord reveals that it was not grandiosity but sincerity that resulted in answered prayers. The sinner’s silent prayer, the publican’s humble petition—these illustrate the true nature of impactful supplication. Thus, the psalmist, echoing the need for earnestness, proclaims, 'Lord, I have cried unto Thee, hear me,' emphasizing the necessity of being heard reflects the dignity of his ask. His prayer is not focused on seeking vengeance against foes or temporal gains but aims for eternal blessings.

‘But seek,’ says the Lord, ‘first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you’ (Matt. 6:33). In his invocation, you can identify a steadfast call to collective diligence. At this very moment, evil plots against our resolve, knowing that prayer is our greatest strength. Even if we are encumbered with sin, our earnest prayer can yield remarkable results—if only we remain vigilant against distractions and temptations to indifference.

Let us strive to follow the apostles’ example when faced with adversity. They, having encountered countless trials, instead of retaliating, sought divine aid, praying for boldness in sharing God’s message. Their request was not for harm upon their enemies but for the empowerment to proclaim truth. 'Look upon their threats,' they pleaded, yet our desire for justice should not mimic impatience for punishment. Rather, they prayed for strength to heal and work miracles in Christ’s name, proclaiming: ‘As Thou stretchest forth Thy hand to heal, and to do signs and wonders in the name of Thy Holy Son Jesus’ (Acts 4:29, 30).

In doing so, we recognize how their prayers, marked by wisdom, sought no harm for enemies even amid struggles. Stephen, on the cusp of death, likewise prayed for the pardon of those who stoned him: ‘Lord, do not impute this sin to them’ (Acts 7:60). What justification is there for praying harm upon others? Such appeals betray God’s commandments and do not align with our calling. Instead, we must yield our anger and bitterness toward adversaries, as the apostle advises us to pray with holy hands lifted, free from ire and doubt (1 Tim. 2:8). Thus, if you harbor a grudge, extinguish it, and approach God with a purified heart. In doing so, your prayers will be heard even before the last word leaves your lips. This is the essence of the Psalmist’s petition, declaring, ‘Louden the voice of my prayer when I call upon Thee.’ And God promises in response, 'You shall call, and He shall say, "Here am I"’ (Isaiah 58:9).

The sweat that flowed from Him signifies the suffering borne by the martyrs of the Church. "Hear the voice of my prayer as I cry out to You." One might think that the burden of weeping would cease when one declares, "I have cried unto Thee." Yet, you may have mourned, but do not presume that you are free of suffering. If affliction has passed, lamentation ceases; however, if tribulation persists for the Church—the Body of Christ—until the end of time, it does not merely say, "I have cried unto Thee," but simultaneously pleads, "Hear the voice of my prayer."

"Let my prayer be before Thy eyes as incense, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice," Psalm 140:2. Every believer recognizes that this is generally representative of the Head, Christ Himself. For as twilight descended, the Lord on the Cross surrendered His life only to reclaim it; His life was not lost involuntarily (John 10:17). We are involved in this as well. What hung on the tree but what He took from us? How can it be that the Father forsakes His only Son, especially given their oneness? By focusing on our frailty at the Cross, where, as Paul writes, our old self was crucified with Him (Romans 6:6), He cried out with the voice of our fallen nature, “Why hast Thou forsaken Me?” This evening sacrifice represents the Lord’s Passion, His Cross, the offering that brings salvation, the acceptable burnt offering. This evening sacrifice gives way to the dawn of His Resurrection. Prayer, arising solely from a sincere heart, ascends like incense from the sacred altar—there is no fragrance more pleasing to the Lord than that. May every believer be graced with this fragrance.

"Put, O Lord, a guard before my mouth, and a door of restraint round about my lips," Psalm 140:3. He did not speak of a barrier, but of a door. A door can open or close; thus, if it is indeed a door, let it be both. Open to confess wrongs, yet closed against justifying them. Such a door of restraint proves beneficial—not destructive. What does Christ seek in the name of His Body? "May You not turn away My heart to evil words," Psalm 140:4. What is "My heart"? It refers to the heart of His Church, which is the essence of His Body.

However, when your heart is steadfast, as a member of Christ, and does not wander toward harmful words, justifications for sin, or associate with those who commit wrong, you will not align yourself with their chosen ones. As it states, "And I will not be united with their elect." Who are these elect? They are those who self-justify. Their chosen ones are those who believe themselves righteous and hold disdain for others, similar to the Pharisee who prayed in the temple, “Lord, I thank You that I am not like the others” (Luke 18:11). Who are they? That man, had he been a prophet, would have certainly known who the woman was that touched His feet (Luke 7:39). Here we see the voice of another Pharisee, inviting our Lord to his home, while the sinful woman approached His feet. If this woman had allowed her heart to be led astray by wicked words, she would not have found the means to acknowledge her sins. Do we not see women, equal in transgression yet lacking in confession—prostitutes and adulterers—defending their sins daily? If they remain unseen, they deny their actions; when caught, they defend what they cannot deny. Their defenses are seamless and forceful, yet they carry an air of impetuosity, being both commonplace and irreverent, asserting that it was not their intention, but rather fate or divine will that brought them to such a state. This is the argument of the worldly elect.

But let the members of Christ join Him in saying, “Turn not away, O my heart, to evil words,” and I will remain separate from their chosen ones.

With those who commit evil, what moral decay have they embraced? Allow me to highlight one unrighteous vice they openly profess: they claim it is preferable to be a moneylender than a farmer. When questioned, their reasoning is revealed... They regard the farmer as a burden to the members of Christ for working the land; yet their actions, through usury, result in far worse crimes, turning a blind eye to the needy. Check if there is any greater injustice than this rationale. They do not provide sustenance for the starving, fearing that the beggar might savor the sustenance they regard as part of God's creation, instead feeding their accumulation of wealth, all while they purport to be enlightened by faith. Such are the so-called elect who believe not in God’s salvation but in their own strength, claiming Christ’s existential sacrifice as universal, yet fail to recognize their blasphemies against Him, leading to their ultimate condemnation. Should a crumb not be offered to the hungry, ensuring the suffering of a member of Christ, will we allow him to die of hunger? Misguided compassion over the trivial results in true moral failure.

As for the righteous? "The righteous shall correct me with mercy, and reprove me," Psalm 140:5. This signifies a sinner ready to embrace correction with compassion rather than manipulation. A righteous person will reprove in mercy, not with hatred; he rebukes not because he bears animosity, but rather out of love. For it is written, "Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you" (Proverbs 9:8). The righteous person’s correction emerges from a genuine compassion for the one who is struggling.

"But let not the oil of the sinner enrich my head"—I do not wish for flattery to elevate me. The unjust praise of a flatterer breeds arrogance. Seek to be judged by the Righteous One in mercy, rather than mocked by the wicked.

You might wonder, what aspect of this am I addressing? I am surrounded by flatterers, inundated with their empty praises, who commend me for things I do not honor. Those who flatter are often deceitful. For instance, one might say, “Gaius is a great intellectual, wise and learned; but is his wisdom what defines his faith?” Being knowledgeable does not make one a believer. But in truth, what one criticizes may be preferred by the one they praise.

Thus, do not permit flattery to weigh upon you; refrain from celebrations of such praise, and should flattery be applied, remain humble and unyielding. The accusations may rise, but Christ assures us, “Wait; My truth will yet prevail.” In Christianity's early stages, followers faced hostility on every front. Simply endure those accusations; they will eventually yield to the acknowledgment of God’s unyielding truth.

In such tumult, the assertion of righteousness stands out. When delving into the Scriptures, one eventually confronts their own sins. I refer to believers in one God, confessors of Christ, who honor the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit as one Divine essence and do not sin against one another; those who respect the sanctity of marriage or live righteously, even if they are in circumstances of variance. Yet even they find themselves entangled in the transgressions mentioned previously. Through daily repentance and unguarded confession, we plead, “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” (Matthew 6:12), with Jesus Christ, the Righteous Advocate, interceding for us before the Father.

Following this, Scripture says, "Their judges were swallowed up at the rock," Psalm 140:6. What is this rock but Christ (1 Corinthians 10:4)? Those whose authority seems formidable fall short when judged against the Rock. All learned men, like Aristotle or Plato, when juxtaposed against the authority of the Gospel, are diminished. Let them hear and tremble! For while their assertions may hold sway for a time, they cannot stand against the truth of the Crucified.

Behold, those who hold their own interpretations high have words of value until met with Christ's measure. Let their truths be acknowledged, but remain cautious to not follow their path. If any speak truth, they acknowledge it in connection to the ultimate Truth, who is eternal.

“They will hear My Words, for they have prevailed.” My Words overcome their empty praises. They would have impressed you with eloquence, but it is truth that bears weight.

When faced with threats, which of them upheld their faith? A true believer is one who stands firm against oppression without denying their truth. Such courage and fortitude testify to the triumph of the Word of the Lord over all earthly trials. When believers stood firm amid adversities, their blood watered the earth, enabling the truth to thrive everywhere, embodying the church’s witness.

Consider the fortitude of the martyrs. It was not death, nor pain, nor crucifixion that daunted them; they faced it all, faithfully declaring the victory of love, by which we find life everlasting even amidst persecution.

The bones of the saints may seem scattered, "As the fat of the earth is scattered over the earth" (Psalm 140:7). The slain who professed Christ initially appeared defeated, though their deaths ensured the resonance of His words. What was once considered waste now nourishes the world. "Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of His saints." Their mortal remains bring forth life's abundance, enriching the world in ways the unfaithful cannot comprehend.

"For unto Thee, O Lord, are my eyes; in Thee have I hoped; Thou wilt not take away my life," Psalm 140:8. Amidst trials of persecution, many faltered—recognizing dangers, yet declaring faith in what the Lord promises, focusing not on threats, but rather His enduring presence.

"Keep me from the trap they set for me," Psalm 140:9. What trap lies ahead? A bargain posed: If you comply, you shall be spared. Worldly allurements tempt the faithful, but what of the faithful who diminish themselves for ephemeral gain? The pursuit of worldly approval can lead to peril. Let my heart not be ensnared; help me to stand against both flattery and threats.

"Sinners shall fall into his net," Psalm 140:10. Not all sinners, mind you, but those entangled in the ephemeral who choose the interests of this life over eternal promises. Consider how even the closest disciples stumbled under pressure, forsaking Christ during His darkest hour (John 16:32). Peter, who boldly pledged loyalty, ultimately succumbed to fear, yet he would later rise in steadfastness. The path of confession brings transformation; from solitude to company. The Passover symbolizes transition, foretelling resurrection, linking suffering to glory (John 13:1).

This reflection speaks to His sacrifice and the fellowship formed through His death and resurrection. “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.”

He was alone before His sacrifice, drawing all believers into shared existence when once they were dismissed. Thus transcends the faithful; through faith, they find unity in His resurrection following their own trials and the acclaim of the world diminishes amid eternal truths.

“Hear my voice when I cry unto Thee.” This implies, "O Lord, pay attention to my requests; I seek not worldly desires, riches, or possessions, but rather, I earnestly seek Your mercy." Thus, he implores, “hear,” meaning “listen carefully,” for his petition is not for anything extraneous.

As we conclude the day's activities, this sacred song serves as a way to release the transgressions amassed throughout the day.

"O Lord, I cry unto Thee; hear me." This opening conveys a plea from a troubled heart, yearning for divine attention, reflecting how Moses, although silent of voice, was still heard by God through the fervor of his heart's cry. Similarly, the devout Hannah prayed from her heart, though her physical voice went unheard, ultimately giving birth to Samuel despite her barrenness. The Psalmist too implores God with a mental cry, one that resonates with divine ears rather than mere vocal utterances. Those who pray sensually exhaust themselves outwardly, while those who pray from the heart draw inward, directing their entirety towards God, thus qualifying themselves for His listening ear.

Chrysostom emphasizes that the cry issued here is not outward but an inner call arising from an expansive heart. Such intensity is what God seeks—a focused plea untainted by distraction; it is a heart that genuinely seeks communion with Him. Many offer prayers that lack this earnestness, reciting God’s name while their minds remain disengaged. Not every uttered prayer holds value, but only those emanating from a sincere disposition. The proud Pharisee, for instance, prayed volubly yet only to himself, entangled in his arrogance.

"Listen to the voice of my prayer when I call upon You." This call signifies a heartfelt plea; indeed, God attends to the prayers that are anchored in sincere yearning. The insights of Chrysostom further illuminate the nature of prayer worth hearing—that it should not seek vengeance upon adversaries, nor should it yearn for material gains or worldly acclaim but rather aspire for everlasting and incorruptible blessings. We must not only refrain from seeking ill for our enemies but actively cultivate forgiveness toward them. Paul reinforces this by stating that men should pray with pure hands, free from anger and bitterness; even in the presence of enemies, one must dissolve all traces of wrath before approaching God, ensuring that both mouth and heart are cleansed from malice. Such prayers, infused with intent and diligence, will find divine favor, and even before the concluding words are spoken, the Lord will respond, "Behold, I am here."

Although we cannot definitively pinpoint when this psalm was written, it is likely that it emerged during the intense persecution he suffered at the hands of Saul. Through his example, David encourages us to turn directly to God in prayer rather than seeking the aid of worldly sources, as so many do, neglecting their call to prayer. While David earnestly seeks God’s help, worldly individuals often call upon the heavens, earth, humanity, fortune, and their own aspirations before even raising their voices to the Lord. Even when they do pray, their expressions are full of complaint, resulting in howls rather than genuine supplications.