[4] Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties.
Incline not — Suffer it not to be inclined.
Heart — Keep me not only from wicked speeches, but from all evil motions of my heart.
Dainties — The pleasures or advantages which they gain by their wickedness.
Verse 5
[5] 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.
Smite — By reproofs.
Break — Not hurt, but heal and greatly refresh me.
Calamities — In the calamities of those righteous persons who reproved him. When they came into such calamities as those wherein he was involved he would pity them and pray for them.
Verse 6
[6] When their judges are overthrown in stony places, they shall hear my words; for they are sweet.
Judges — The chief of mine enemies.
Overthrown — Or, cast down headlong by thine exemplary vengeance.
Hear — Hearken unto my counsels and offers which now they despise.
Verse 7
[7] Our bones are scattered at the grave's mouth, as when one cutteth and cleaveth wood upon the earth.
Our bones — Our case is almost as hopeless as of those who are dead, and whose bones are scattered in several places.
Psalm 141 Bible Commentary
John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes
Verse 4
[4] Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties.
Incline not — Suffer it not to be inclined.
Heart — Keep me not only from wicked speeches, but from all evil motions of my heart.
Dainties — The pleasures or advantages which they gain by their wickedness.
Verse 5
[5] 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.
Smite — By reproofs.
Break — Not hurt, but heal and greatly refresh me.
Calamities — In the calamities of those righteous persons who reproved him. When they came into such calamities as those wherein he was involved he would pity them and pray for them.
Verse 6
[6] When their judges are overthrown in stony places, they shall hear my words; for they are sweet.
Judges — The chief of mine enemies.
Overthrown — Or, cast down headlong by thine exemplary vengeance.
Hear — Hearken unto my counsels and offers which now they despise.
Verse 7
[7] Our bones are scattered at the grave's mouth, as when one cutteth and cleaveth wood upon the earth.
Our bones — Our case is almost as hopeless as of those who are dead, and whose bones are scattered in several places.