Psalms 141:3

KJV

Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.

KJV (with Strong's)

Set {H7896} a watch {H8108}, O LORD {H3068}, before my mouth {H6310}; keep {H5341} the door {H1817} of my lips {H8193}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Set a guard, ADONAI, over my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips.

Berean Standard Bible

Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips.

American Standard Version

Set a watch, O Jehovah, before my mouth; Keep the door of my lips.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 141:3 is a fervent prayer by David, appealing to the LORD for divine assistance in governing his speech. Recognizing the immense capacity of the tongue for both good and evil, the psalmist implores God to establish a vigilant guard over his mouth and to secure the gateway of his lips, thereby preventing rash, sinful, or unedifying words from escaping, especially in times of distress or temptation. This petition underscores a profound awareness of human weakness and an absolute reliance on God's sovereign power to maintain spiritual integrity in communication.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 141 is a psalm of individual lament and supplication, likely composed by David during a period of intense personal danger or persecution. The psalm begins with an urgent cry for God to hear his prayer and to act swiftly, comparing his petition to incense and uplifted hands to the evening sacrifice ([Psalms 141:1-2](/psalms/141-1 "Psalm 141:1-2 - David's Urgent Prayer")). Immediately following this plea for divine attention, David pivots to an internal spiritual discipline, specifically concerning his speech. This transition highlights his understanding that even in the face of external threats, internal integrity, particularly in one's words, is paramount. The subsequent verses (e.g., [Psalms 141:4](/psalms/141-4 "Psalm 141:4 - Avoiding Wickedness")) further elaborate on his desire to avoid the sinful ways of the wicked, reinforcing the idea that controlling his tongue is a crucial defense against moral compromise.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Composed during the Davidic monarchy, this psalm reflects the challenges faced by a leader navigating political intrigue, betrayal, and warfare. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, words carried significant weight, often seen as possessing inherent power to bless or curse, to establish covenants or declare war. Oaths and public pronouncements were binding. For a king like David, whose words could influence a nation, the discipline of speech was not merely a personal virtue but a matter of national stability and divine favor. The imagery of a "watch" and a "door" would have been readily understood in a society where city gates were guarded diligently to prevent enemy incursions and where sentries were vital for security.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme of Psalm 141:3 is the **control of the tongue** and the profound **dependence on God** for achieving this self-mastery. David acknowledges human fallibility and the inherent difficulty in bridling one's speech, thus seeking divine intervention rather than relying solely on personal willpower. This prayer also underscores the theme of **spiritual vigilance**, portraying the mouth as a critical gateway that must be guarded against the outflow of sin and the inflow of corrupting influences through careless words. Ultimately, it speaks to the broader theme of **integrity in speech**, recognizing that words are a direct reflection of the heart and a powerful instrument for either honoring or dishonoring God. The importance of speech is a recurring theme throughout the wisdom literature, as seen in [Proverbs 18:21](/proverbs/18-21 "Proverbs 18:21 - Power of Life and Death in the Tongue") and [James 3:8](/james/3-8 "James 3:8 - The Untamable Tongue").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Set (Hebrew, _shîyth'_):** From H7896, meaning "to place (in a very wide application); apply, appoint, array, bring, consider, lay (up), let alone, [idiom] look, make, mark, put (on), [phrase] regard, set, shew, be stayed, [idiom] take." In this context, David is not merely asking God to *put* a watch, but to *establish* or *appoint* one, implying a deliberate and authoritative act of divine placement. It conveys a sense of permanence and intentionality in God's guardianship.
* **mouth (Hebrew, _peh'_):** From H6310, referring to "the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side." Here, it refers to the physical organ of speech, but its figurative sense as the source of "speech" or "word" is paramount. David recognizes that the mouth is the primary conduit through which his inner thoughts and intentions are externalized, making it a critical point of spiritual vulnerability.
* **door (Hebrew, _deleth'_):** From H1817, meaning "something swinging, i.e. the valve of a door; door (two-leaved), gate, leaf, lid." This word powerfully reinforces the imagery of the mouth as a literal gateway or entrance. Just as a city gate or house door controls what enters and exits, so the mouth controls the flow of words. The request to "keep the door" implies a need for constant vigilance and control over what is permitted to pass through this vital opening.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth;":** This opening clause is a direct, urgent plea to God. The psalmist acknowledges his own inability to perfectly control his speech and therefore appeals to the LORD (Yahweh, the covenant-keeping God) to intervene. The imagery of "setting a watch" evokes a sentry or guard positioned at a critical post, highlighting the need for constant, diligent oversight over the words that proceed from the mouth. It's a recognition that the battle for righteous speech is a spiritual one, requiring divine assistance.
* **"keep the door of my lips.":** This parallel clause reiterates and intensifies the preceding request. "Keep" (H5341, _nâtsar_) means to guard, preserve, or protect. The "lips" (H8193, _sâphâh_) are the physical boundary of the mouth, serving as the "door." This vivid metaphor emphasizes the mouth as a controlled access point. David is asking God to act as the gatekeeper, ensuring that only words that are edifying, truthful, and glorifying to God are allowed to pass, while harmful, sinful, or idle words are restrained. It underscores the profound responsibility associated with verbal communication.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 141:3 is rich in **Imagery** and **Metaphor**. The mouth is metaphorically presented as a **"door"** and a strategic position requiring a **"watch"** or guard. This transforms the abstract concept of speech control into a concrete, visual scenario of a fortified entrance. The lips are further personified as having a "door," emphasizing their role as the final barrier for spoken words. The entire verse functions as a **Supplication**, a direct and earnest prayer to God, demonstrating David's complete reliance on divine intervention for personal spiritual discipline. The **Parallelism** between "mouth" and "lips" and "set a watch" and "keep the door" reinforces the central plea, adding poetic rhythm and emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the desired divine control over speech.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This prayer for divine control over speech resonates deeply with biblical theology concerning the power and peril of the tongue. The Bible consistently teaches that words are not neutral; they are powerful instruments that reflect the condition of the heart and have the capacity to build up or tear down, to bless or curse, to bring life or death. David's plea acknowledges human frailty in this area and underscores the necessity of God's grace and active intervention for righteous living, particularly in an area as volatile as verbal communication. It highlights that true self-control is ultimately a fruit of the Spirit, enabled by divine power, not merely human effort.

* [Proverbs 13:3](/proverbs/13-3 "Proverbs 13:3 - He who guards his mouth preserves his life")
* [James 3:2-10](/james/3-2 "James 3:2-10 - The Power and Danger of the Tongue")
* [Matthew 12:34-37](/matthew/12-34 "Matthew 12:34-37 - Words Reveal the Heart")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 141:3 offers a timeless and profoundly relevant prayer for every believer. In an age saturated with instant communication, where words can be disseminated globally in seconds, the temptation to speak impulsively, critically, or carelessly is ever-present. David's prayer serves as a vital reminder that our words carry immense power to shape relationships, influence perceptions, and reflect our spiritual state. It calls us to a posture of humility, recognizing our inherent weakness in controlling the tongue, and prompting us to actively seek God's daily intervention. This prayer encourages us to be intentional about our speech, considering its potential impact and striving for words that are edifying, truthful, gracious, and glorifying to God, rather than those that sow discord, spread gossip, or tear down. It's a call to cultivate a heart so aligned with God that its overflow, our words, would be a blessing to others and a testimony to His transforming power.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific situations or emotions tend to make me speak carelessly or sinfully?**
* **How often do I intentionally pray for God's control over my words throughout the day?**
* **In what ways can my words either build up or tear down those around me, and how can I be more intentional about the former?**
* **What practical steps can I take to "set a watch" over my mouth in my daily interactions and online communications?**

### FAQ
**Why is controlling the tongue so important in the Bible?**

Answer: Controlling the tongue is crucial because the Bible teaches that words are not merely sounds but powerful expressions of the heart, capable of immense good or destructive evil. [Proverbs 18:21](/proverbs/18-21 "Proverbs 18:21 - Life and Death in the Power of the Tongue") states, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue." Our words can build up, encourage, and bring healing, or they can tear down, slander, and cause deep wounds. Furthermore, Jesus taught that our words reveal the true condition of our hearts, saying, "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" ([Matthew 12:34](/matthew/12-34 "Matthew 12:34 - Out of the Abundance of the Heart")). The book of James dedicates an entire chapter to the untamable nature and destructive potential of the tongue, highlighting that it is a "restless evil, full of deadly poison" ([James 3:8](/james/3-8 "James 3:8 - The Untamable Tongue")). Therefore, mastering the tongue is seen as a sign of spiritual maturity and a vital aspect of living a life pleasing to God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 141:3 finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodied the principle of controlled and righteous speech. Unlike humanity, whose mouths often speak from a heart prone to sin, Jesus's words consistently flowed from a heart perfectly aligned with the Father's will. He was the [Word made flesh](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"), whose every utterance was truth, grace, and life-giving. He spoke with unparalleled authority, silenced His accusers, and never uttered a careless or sinful word, even under extreme provocation ([1-peter/2-23](/1-peter/2-23 "1 Peter 2:23 - Christ's Perfect Example")). Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ not only redeems our sinful hearts but also empowers us by His Spirit to bring our speech into conformity with His own perfect example. The Holy Spirit, given to believers, enables us to "set a watch" over our mouths, transforming our communication from being a source of sin to an instrument of grace, truth, and edification, reflecting the very character of the One who is the [Way, the Truth, and the Life](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life").

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

James 1:26

If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion [is] vain.

Psalms 39:1

¶ To the chief Musician, [even] to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David. I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.

Micah 7:5

Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom.

Psalms 34:13

Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.

James 3:2

For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same [is] a perfect man, [and] able also to bridle the whole body.

Psalms 71:8

Let my mouth be filled [with] thy praise [and with] thy honour all the day.

Psalms 17:3

Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited [me] in the night; thou hast tried me, [and] shalt find nothing; I am purposed [that] my mouth shall not transgress.