My Eyes are Toward You—Psalm 141

 

My Eyes are Toward You

Psalm 141

This may give us some idea of the heroical courage of David, who could continue to direct his eyes to God even under such overwhelming difficulties; this being the very part faith ought to discharge, in making us collected and composed when our senses would otherwise be confounded.
Calvin

“But my eyes are toward you, O God, my Lord” (Psalm 141:8). David, yet again, finds himself in a place of desperation. As I have studied these psalms, my appreciation for David’s sufferings and hardships has grown as we come time and again to another of his lament psalms. We are witnesses to the inner turmoil he feels. At the same time, we see the resiliency of his faith as he comes again to the Lord, again crying for help, again taking refuge in Him, and again turning his gaze to the only One who can save him. In this psalm, David exemplifies for us what it means to have our eyes toward the Lord in the midst of trouble. What evidence do we see in this psalm that David is keeping his eyes fixed on the Lord? What actions show that we are looking to Him and taking refuge in Him?

David turns to the Lord in dependence and prayer. Twice in the first two verses he says, “I call upon you.” Along with his prayer rising as incense to the Lord, David lifts up his hands, symbolizing “dependence on and praise of the Lord” (VanGemeren). Though evil is around him and the situation is desperate, David starts in the best place. He calls out to the only One who can save him and sustain him. Prayer is the right and privilege of the child of God. It has been purchased by the costly price of Christ’s own blood. Just as David asks the Lord to hasten to him, we ought to hasten to the throne of grace. It makes me think of my littlest. Whenever she gets hurt, she comes running to me and crying out for me. Instinctively she knows to come to me for help and comfort. We, as God’s children, should be like a little child. When we are hurting and afraid we must run to our Father for the help and comfort we need. Are our eyes on Him? Prayer is evidence that we are looking to Him. If you’re not praying, why not start again today? Our Father is kind and patient. 

Next, David seeks the Lord’s help in keeping him back from 1) sins of the mouth (141:3), 2) sins of the heart (141:4), and 3) sins of the hands (141:4). David asks the Lord to put a guard over his mouth. He asks Him to not let his heart incline to evil or busy himself with wicked deeds. In the face of suffering and being wronged, David knows his own inclination to sin. How easy it is to speak words of complaint or slander when we’re suffering. How easy it is to devise retribution in our minds. How easy it becomes to act in sinful ways when our hearts and mouths have already participated in wickedness. Knowing this, David entreats the Lord’s help to keep him back from sin. David is vulnerable. He knows his weakness as a sinful human being. So he turns his eyes to the Lord and calls for the protection of his own soul. 

David also shows humility and teachability. He desires for other righteous people to rebuke him (141:5). He knows it is a kindness to him and he does not want to refuse it. As the Lord disciplines those He loves, so also a righteous man will rebuke those he loves. David understands that the Lord uses others as instruments in his life to keep him walking in the way of the Lord. A rebuke must be both given and received in humility. David is not haughty or self-pitying in his current trouble. With his eyes on the Lord, he recognizes that he still has much to learn and he wants to be ready to receive even a rebuke with a humility of heart. 

David trusts God with the wrongs that have been committed against him (141:6-7). Verses 6-7 are hard to interpret but the general consensus is that this is David’s prayer for vindication. He rests in the knowledge that judgment shall overtake his enemies at last (ESV Study Bible). David had just prayed that the Lord would keep him back from sin, and in keeping step with his holy desires, he now keeps his gaze on the Lord trusting that the Lord will execute justice and bring about David’s vindication. Do we want to know, in our suffering, if we are keeping our eyes on the Lord? Do we desire retribution? Do we desire to return evil for evil? We should always have a high view of justice and righteousness, but it is the motivation in our heart that shows whether our desire for justice keeps in step with the Lord or if we, in our flesh, simply desire revenge. Christ did not revile when He was reviled. He did not retaliate when He was mocked and spit on. He kept entrusting Himself to the One who judges justly (1 Peter 2:23). So did David. And so must we. 

Finally, David trusts the Lord with his life knowing Almighty God will be his defense (141:8-10). David says, “But my eyes are toward you, O God, my Lord; in you I seek refuge; leave me not defenseless! Keep me from the trap that they have laid for me and from the snares of evildoers! Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by safely.” This is such a beautiful prayer. Regardless of his circumstances, David is committed to keeping his eyes on the Lord. He is continuing to take refuge in the Lord alone. He asks the Lord to be his defense in order that he may pass by the traps and snares safely. The promise of Psalm 34:5 says, “Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.” 

I don’t know what trouble you face today, but we want our spiritual eyes, the eyes of faith, looking steadfastly at our Savior. He will not leave us defenseless. In the midst of trouble, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, we will be radiant. The prayers we have directed to the Lord will be heard and answered. Our dependence on Him will be proven to be wise. Our trust has not and will not be misplaced when it is placed on Him. We will not be ashamed when we keep our eyes on Him. 

O Lord, Hear My Prayer*

141:1-2 O Lord, I call upon you; hasten to me! Give ear to my voice when I call to you! Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice! 
Lord, I pray:
▫️I call to You. Hasten to help me, Lord, I pray. Hear my cries for deliverance. I know You are wise and good. You see my situation and my needs. I need Your intervention. Please act quickly. 

▫️I am looking to You, depending on You, trusting You. You are the only One who can change the hearts and minds of those involved and orchestrate the details of the difficulties I’m in. I have not always trusted You. My first inclination is not always to run to You and pour out my complaints to You. By Your Spirit, help me today to keep my eyes and my trust set firmly upon You. 

Keep Me From Taking Part in Their Evil*

141:3-5 Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips! Do not let my heart incline to any evil, to busy myself with wicked deeds in company with men who work iniquity, and let me not eat of their delicacies! 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. 
Lord, I pray:
▫️You know even better than I the sin that I so easily entangle myself in. I confess specifically my sins of ______________. Thank you for Your abundant grace, mercy, and righteousness that is mine in Christ. Through these difficulties, my own sinful heart has been exposed. Enable me to fight against my own sin and not succumb to it. 

▫️Please do for me as David prays here in this psalm. Set a guard over my mouth. Do not let my heart incline to any evil. Keep me from busying myself with wicked thoughts and actions. Help me to hate my own sin more than the sins which have been done to me. Please give me such a strong desire and aim to be pleasing to You.

▫️When I need a rebuke, help me to receive it humbly and to learn from it. Give me wise and discerning friends and counselors that can help me.  

Judgment Shall Overtake Them At Last*

141:6-7 When their judges are thrown over the cliff, then they shall hear my words, for they are pleasant. As when one plows and breaks up the earth, so shall our bones be scattered at the mouth of Sheol. 
Lord, I pray:
▫️You see their evil deeds. You know the details of the situation. You are the righteous Judge. I will keep entrusting myself to You. Though I may have to wait for vindication, I know nothing will escape Your notice. 

I Trust You to Keep Me Safe*

141:8-10 But my eyes are toward you, O God, my Lord; in you I seek refuge; leave me not defenseless! Keep me from the trap that they have laid for me and from the snares of evildoers! Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by safely.
Lord, I pray:
▫️Today, I resolve, by Your help and Spirit, to keep my eyes toward You. I seek refuge in You. You are my help and my shield. Leave me not defenseless! 

▫️Many times I cannot see the traps and snares that are laid for me by the enemy of my soul. I am so thankful that You keep me. You hold me in Your hand. You give Your angels charge concerning me to guard me in all my ways. You go before and behind me. You are with me all along the way. You will help me pass by their nets and traps safely. 

▫️Lord, my eyes are on You.
‭‭
May the Lord do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, for His glory and our good. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

*these titles are taken from the The ESV Bible.

Scripture quotations are from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Photo credit to artemkovalev

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