King James Version
Psalms 141:4 in the King James Version says “Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of thei...” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 141 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“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.”
Psalms 141:4 · KJV
Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. set: Heb. directed
Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.
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.
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. me; it shall be a: or, let the rigteous smite mee kindly, and reprove me; let not their precious oil break my head, etc
When their judges are overthrown in stony places, they shall hear my words; for they are sweet.
KJV Study — Public Domain
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
“Incline”
H5186to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
“not my heart”
H3820the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
“thing”
H1697a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
“to practise”
H5953to effect thoroughly; by implication (in a bad sense) to overdo, i.e., maltreat, be saucy to, pain, impose (also literal)
“works”
H5949an exploit (of god), or a performance (of man, often in a bad sense); by implication, an opportunity
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
“that work”
H6466to do or make (systematically and habitually), especially to practise
“iniquity”
H205strictly nothingness; also trouble, vanity, wickedness; specifically an idol
properly, a failure; by implication nothing; usually (adverb) not at all; also lest
This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Psalms 141:4 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Verses related to Psalms 141:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge