Psalm 141:2,3 – “Let my prayer be set before You as incense, The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.”
David’s prayer is a worthy prayer for all of us to pray. Prayer and worship is compared to incense and the evening sacrifice. Both are to be continual. Prayer is more than just a time to petition God. David is asking that his prayer be continually before the Lord; a scent that is to be pleasing to God.
David also recognizes the potential damage that can be done if he is loose with his words. The last thing any of us want to do is neutralize our prayers by shooting off at the mouth. The word “door” in Hebrew means “something swinging; the valve of a door.” I’ve been around people when there has been too much swinging. We have much different doors in the 21st century than in David’s day. Our mouths should be dead-bolted and chained. When we are too quick with our words it means too messy the damage. We need to choose our words carefully and pray that the “guard” appointed by God will hinder or release our words, depending on the effect.
May your prayer rise before the Lord continually and may your words be pleasant to heaven and earth.