Psalms 141:2

KJV

Let my prayer be set forth before thee [as] incense; [and] the lifting up of my hands [as] the evening sacrifice.

KJV (with Strong's)

Let my prayer {H8605} be set forth {H3559} before {H6440} thee as incense {H7004}; and the lifting up {H4864} of my hands {H3709} as the evening {H6153} sacrifice {H4503}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Let my prayer be like incense set before you, my uplifted hands like an evening sacrifice.

Berean Standard Bible

May my prayer be set before You like incense, my uplifted hands like the evening offering.

American Standard Version

Let my prayer be set forth as incense before thee; The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 141:2 is a profound prayer from David, expressing a deep yearning for his personal supplication and worship to be as acceptable and pleasing to God as the divinely ordained sacrificial and incense offerings of the Tabernacle and Temple. Through vivid imagery, the psalmist elevates the intimate acts of prayer and the lifting of hands to the solemnity and spiritual efficacy of the most sacred rituals of Israelite worship, underscoring a desire for divine reception and favor amidst personal distress and temptation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 141 is a lament and a prayer of David, likely composed during a time of intense personal danger and moral temptation. It immediately follows [Psalm 140](/psalms/140 "Psalm 140 - A Prayer for Deliverance from Evil Men"), another plea for deliverance from wicked individuals. The psalmist is surrounded by enemies ("workers of iniquity" - [Psalm 141:4](/psalms/141-4 "Psalm 141:4 - Keep My Heart from Evil Things")), and he seeks God's protection not only from their physical harm but also from their corrupting influence. He prays for God to "set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips" ([Psalm 141:3](/psalms/141-3 "Psalm 141:3 - A Prayer for Guarded Lips")), indicating a fear of speaking rashly or sinfully under pressure. Verse 2, therefore, serves as the earnest opening of this desperate plea, establishing the sincerity and reverent posture of the petitioner before he articulates his specific requests for deliverance and guidance in the subsequent verses. It sets the tone for a prayer that seeks divine intervention and moral preservation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of "incense" and "evening sacrifice" draws directly from the highly structured and central worship practices of ancient Israel, as prescribed in the Mosaic Law. The burning of incense (specifically the "incense of sweet spices" - [Exodus 30:34](/exodus/30-34 "Exodus 30:34 - The Holy Incense")) occurred daily on the golden altar of incense within the Holy Place of the Tabernacle, symbolizing the prayers of the saints ascending to God's presence ([Exodus 30:7](/exodus/30-7 "Exodus 30:7 - Aaron Shall Burn Incense Every Morning")). The "evening sacrifice" (or *minchah* in Hebrew, often a grain offering or a part of the daily burnt offering - [Exodus 29:39](/exodus/29-39 "Exodus 29:39 - The Daily Evening Sacrifice")) was a foundational act of communal worship performed at twilight, signifying the ongoing covenant relationship, atonement, and dedication of the people to God. These rituals were not merely symbolic; they were understood as tangible acts of approaching a holy God, performed with precision and reverence. David's use of these specific, well-understood elements of daily temple service grounds his personal prayer in the established, divinely approved forms of worship, expressing a desire for his private devotion to carry the same weight of holiness and acceptance as the public, communal offerings.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within [the Psalms](/psalms "The Book of Psalms - Songs of Worship and Lament") and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Acceptable Worship**, emphasizing that true devotion is not just ritualistic but deeply spiritual, where the heart's cry ascends to God. David desires his personal prayer to be received by God with the same favor as the prescribed temple offerings, underscoring the importance of sincerity and reverence in approaching the Divine. Secondly, it develops the theme of **Spiritual Offering**, elevating prayer from a mere utterance to a profound act of spiritual sacrifice. This foreshadows the New Testament understanding that believers are called to offer themselves as "[living sacrifices](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - A Living Sacrifice")" and that true worship transcends physical locations or rituals, becoming an act performed "[in spirit and in truth](/john/4-24 "John 4:24 - Worshipping in Spirit and Truth")". Lastly, the verse speaks to **Dependence and Devotion**, as David's posture of lifting hands signifies complete surrender, supplication, and earnest devotion to God, a common biblical gesture of prayer and blessing ([1 Timothy 2:8](/1_timothy/2-8 "1 Timothy 2:8 - Lifting Up Holy Hands")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **prayer (Hebrew, _tᵉphillâh'_):** From פָּלַל; intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn; prayer. In this context, David's *tᵉphillâh* signifies a solemn, heartfelt communication directed to the Almighty, seeking His divine attention and intervention.
* **incense (Hebrew, _qᵉṭôreth'_):** From קָטַר; a fumigation; (sweet) incense, perfume. This term refers to the sweet-smelling aromatic mixture burned on the altar, symbolizing prayers rising to God's presence as a pleasing aroma and an accepted offering.
* **sacrifice (Hebrew, _minchâh'_):** From an unused root meaning to apportion, i.e. bestow; a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary); gift, oblation, (meat) offering, present, sacrifice. In this verse, it refers to the "evening sacrifice," a regular and foundational act of communal worship and dedication.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense":** David expresses a fervent desire for his personal prayer (_tᵉphillâh_) to be established, prepared, and presented before God (_pânîym_) in a manner that is acceptable and pleasing, just as the holy incense (_qᵉṭôreth_) was offered daily in the Tabernacle. The verb "set forth" (from _kûwn_) implies not just a casual utterance but a prayer that is firm, properly ordered, and ready for divine reception, ascending to God's presence as a fragrant aroma.
* **"and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice":** This clause parallels the first, extending the imagery of acceptable worship to the physical posture of prayer. The "lifting up of my hands" (_masʼêth_ of _kaph_) is a common biblical gesture of supplication, surrender, and blessing, signifying an earnest appeal to God. By likening this act to the "evening sacrifice" (_minchâh_ of _ʻereb_), David connects his personal devotion to the most solemn and regular communal act of worship, desiring his private offering of self and petition to be as consecrated and efficacious as the prescribed temple ritual performed at dusk.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 141:2 is rich in **Simile**, directly comparing David's prayer to "incense" and the lifting of his hands to the "evening sacrifice" using the explicit "as." This creates vivid imagery that draws upon the familiar sensory experiences and spiritual significance of temple worship. The verse also employs profound **Symbolism**: incense symbolizes ascending prayers and divine acceptance, while the evening sacrifice represents dedication, atonement, and the ongoing covenant relationship. Together, these symbols elevate the personal acts of prayer and supplication to the level of sacred, divinely ordained offerings. Furthermore, the verse exhibits **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous parallelism, where the second clause ("the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice") reiterates and reinforces the sentiment of the first ("Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense"). Both clauses convey the psalmist's desire for his worship to be pleasing and acceptable to God, using distinct but complementary images from the liturgical life of Israel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse beautifully bridges the gap between ritualistic worship and the spiritual essence of prayer, articulating a timeless truth that God desires not merely outward performance but heartfelt devotion. David's plea for his prayer to be like incense and his uplifted hands like the evening sacrifice reveals a profound understanding that true worship is an offering of self, a spiritual act that ascends to God's presence. It underscores the biblical principle that access to God, while once mediated through specific rituals and sacrifices, is ultimately about a posture of the heart that seeks to honor and commune with the Divine. The verse anticipates the New Covenant reality where believers, through Christ, offer spiritual sacrifices of praise and lives consecrated to God.

* [Revelation 5:8](/revelation/5-8 "Revelation 5:8 - Golden Vials Full of Odours, Which Are the Prayers of Saints")
* [Hebrews 13:15](/hebrews/13-15 "Hebrews 13:15 - Offering the Sacrifice of Praise Continually")
* [Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Present Your Bodies as a Living Sacrifice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 141:2 serves as a powerful reminder that our personal prayers are not trivial utterances but sacred offerings, capable of ascending to the very throne of God. It challenges us to approach prayer with intentionality, reverence, and a profound sense of its spiritual significance. Just as the ancient Israelites faithfully presented their daily sacrifices and incense, we are called to present our lives as "a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service" ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - A Living Sacrifice")), with prayer being an indispensable part of that ongoing spiritual offering. This verse encourages us to cultivate a consistent and heartfelt prayer life, knowing that our sincere petitions and expressions of devotion are a "pleasing aroma" to our heavenly Father, received and honored by Him. It transforms our understanding of prayer from a mere duty or a means to an end into an act of profound worship and communion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does viewing prayer as "incense" or a "sacrifice" change your approach to daily communication with God?**
* **What does it mean for your prayers to be "set forth" before God, implying preparation and intentionality?**
* **In what ways can your "lifting up of hands" (or any posture of worship) become a meaningful spiritual offering in your life?**
* **How can you cultivate a deeper sense of reverence and sincerity in your prayer life, aligning it with the spirit of this verse?**

### FAQ

**Why is prayer compared to incense in this verse?**

Answer: The comparison of prayer to incense draws on the ancient Israelite practice of burning fragrant incense on the golden altar in the Tabernacle and Temple. As the smoke of the incense ascended, it symbolized the prayers of God's people rising to His presence. This imagery signifies that prayer is a pleasing aroma to God, an acceptable and holy offering that reaches His throne. It suggests that sincere, heartfelt prayer is received with favor and delight by the Lord, much like the divinely prescribed incense offering. This powerful symbolism is echoed in the New Testament, where the prayers of the saints are depicted as "golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints" ([Revelation 5:8](/revelation/5-8 "Revelation 5:8 - Prayers as Odours")) and "much incense" offered with the prayers of all saints ([Revelation 8:3](/revelation/8-3 "Revelation 8:3 - Angel with Incense and Prayers")).

**What is the significance of "lifting up of my hands" in the context of this verse?**

Answer: The "lifting up of my hands" was a common and deeply significant posture of prayer and worship in ancient Israel, symbolizing supplication, surrender, blessing, and earnest appeal to God. It expressed a posture of dependence, humility, and expectation before the Almighty. By comparing this physical act of devotion to the "evening sacrifice," David elevates it to the status of a consecrated offering. It suggests that the entirety of one's being, including physical expressions of worship, can be presented to God as a holy and acceptable act, just as the daily sacrifices were a foundational part of communal worship and dedication to the Lord ([Exodus 29:39](/exodus/29-39 "Exodus 29:39 - The Daily Evening Sacrifice")). This posture continues to be a meaningful expression of worship for believers today ([1 Timothy 2:8](/1_timothy/2-8 "1 Timothy 2:8 - Lifting Up Holy Hands")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 141:2, with its longing for prayer and worship to be an acceptable offering, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. In the Old Covenant, access to God and the efficacy of offerings were mediated through priests and sacrificial systems. However, Christ is the **perfect High Priest** ([Hebrews 4:14](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Our Great High Priest")) and the **ultimate, once-for-all sacrifice** ([Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - The One Sacrifice of Christ")), whose shed blood opened a new and living way into the very presence of God ([Hebrews 10:19](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19 - Access to the Holiest by the Blood of Jesus")). The ascending smoke of incense symbolized prayers rising to God; now, our prayers ascend through Christ, who ever lives to make intercession for us ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ Our Intercessor")). The evening sacrifice pointed to atonement and dedication; Christ's sacrifice on the cross was the perfect atonement, making us holy and acceptable to God. Believers are now empowered by the Holy Spirit to offer "spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ" ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Spiritual Sacrifices")), which include our prayers, praise ([Hebrews 13:15](/hebrews/13-15 "Hebrews 13:15 - Sacrifice of Praise")), and our very lives presented as a "living sacrifice" ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - A Living Sacrifice")). Thus, David's ancient yearning for acceptable worship is fully realized in the believer's access to God and offering of self, made possible and pleasing through the finished work of Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Revelation 8:3

And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer [it] with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.

Revelation 8:4

And the smoke of the incense, [which came] with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.

1 Timothy 2:8

I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

Revelation 5:8

And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four [and] twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

Proverbs 15:8

¶ The sacrifice of the wicked [is] an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright [is] his delight.

Malachi 1:11

For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name [shall be] great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense [shall be] offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name [shall be] great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.

Psalms 63:4

Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.