Psalm 141:7
ESV
As when one plows and breaks up the earth, so shall our bones be scattered at the mouth of Sheol.
NIV
They will say, "As one plows and breaks up the earth, so our bones have been scattered at the mouth of the grave."
NASB
As when one plows and breaks open the earth, Our bones have been scattered at the mouth of Sheol.
CSB
As when one plows and breaks up the soil, turning up rocks, so our bones have been scattered at the mouth of Sheol.
NLT
Like rocks brought up by a plow, the bones of the wicked will lie scattered without burial.
KJV
Our bones are scattered at the grave's mouth, as when one cutteth and cleaveth wood upon the earth.
NKJV
Our bones are scattered at the mouth of the grave, As when one plows and breaks up the earth.
What does Psalm 141:7 mean?
Please see our chapter commentary on Psalm 141; verse-level content coming soon!Psalm 141:5–7 reinforces the wisdom of taking advice from godly people (Proverbs 13:18). Correction is never pleasant (Hebrews 12:11) and our natural reaction is to resist. But a wise person listens to such guidance (Proverbs 12:1; 19:25; 27:6). The rest of this segment is extremely obscure; commentators struggle to determine precisely what David means when speaking of judges, cliffs, plows, and bones. The general idea seems to be David's assumption that he will be vindicated in the end.
This song calls out to the Lord with two main requests. First, David prays for God's help in avoiding sin and temptation. David is open to godly correction when it comes from a righteous person. But he desperately wants to avoid drifting into sin. David's second request is for protection against the enemies who seek to trap him. He prays that those who plot evil against him will experience those harms, in their own lives.
