Psalms 141:4
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.
Original Language Analysis
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
1 of 15
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תַּט
Incline
H5186
תַּט
Incline
Strong's:
H5186
Word #:
2 of 15
to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
לִבִּ֨י
not my heart
H3820
לִבִּ֨י
not my heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
3 of 15
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
לְדָבָ֪ר׀
thing
H1697
לְדָבָ֪ר׀
thing
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
4 of 15
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
לְהִתְע֘וֹלֵ֤ל
to practise
H5953
לְהִתְע֘וֹלֵ֤ל
to practise
Strong's:
H5953
Word #:
6 of 15
to effect thoroughly; by implication (in a bad sense) to overdo, i.e., maltreat, be saucy to, pain, impose (also literal)
עֲלִל֨וֹת׀
works
H5949
עֲלִל֨וֹת׀
works
Strong's:
H5949
Word #:
7 of 15
an exploit (of god), or a performance (of man, often in a bad sense); by implication, an opportunity
אֶת
H854
אֶת
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
9 of 15
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
אִישִׁ֥ים
H582
אִישִׁ֥ים
Strong's:
H582
Word #:
10 of 15
properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
פֹּֽעֲלֵי
that work
H6466
פֹּֽעֲלֵי
that work
Strong's:
H6466
Word #:
11 of 15
to do or make (systematically and habitually), especially to practise
אָ֑וֶן
iniquity
H205
אָ֑וֶן
iniquity
Strong's:
H205
Word #:
12 of 15
strictly nothingness; also trouble, vanity, wickedness; specifically an idol
וּבַל
H1077
וּבַל
Strong's:
H1077
Word #:
13 of 15
properly, a failure; by implication nothing; usually (adverb) not at all; also lest
Cross References
Matthew 6:13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.Psalms 119:36Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.Isaiah 63:17O LORD, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways, and hardened our heart from thy fear? Return for thy servants' sake, the tribes of thine inheritance.1 Corinthians 15:33Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.2 Corinthians 6:17Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,1 Kings 8:58That he may incline our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, which he commanded our fathers.1 Corinthians 10:31Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.James 1:13Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:Revelation 18:4And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.Deuteronomy 29:4Yet the LORD hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day.
Historical Context
Scripture repeatedly warns against fellowship with evildoers. Israel was commanded not to intermarry with Canaanites (Deuteronomy 7:3-4) or adopt their practices (Leviticus 18:3). Solomon's foreign wives turned his heart to idols (1 Kings 11:1-8). Jehoshaphat's alliance with Ahab brought disaster (2 Chronicles 18-19). Paul commanded: "Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers" (2 Corinthians 6:14) and "have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness" (Ephesians 5:11). Yet believers must engage unbelievers evangelistically (1 Corinthians 5:9-10)—the issue is partnership in evil, not all interaction. Jesus ate with sinners for redemptive purposes (Mark 2:15-17), contrasting with Pharisaic separation.
Questions for Reflection
- What "dainties" (tempting pleasures) of the wicked tempt you toward compromise?
- How can believers maintain both evangelistic engagement with unbelievers and separation from their evil practices?
- What does it mean to ask God not to "incline your heart" toward evil, given human responsibility for sin?
Analysis & Commentary
"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." The prayer al tat libbi l'davar ra (do not incline my heart to any evil thing) asks God to prevent inner disposition toward evil. Natah (incline/stretch/bend) means to direct, turn toward; lev (heart) represents will, affections, mind. Davar ra (evil thing/word). The heart's inclination determines conduct. Lhit'olel alilot b'resha (to practice wicked deeds with wickedness). Po'al (practice/do); alilah (deed/act). Im anshei aven (with men of iniquity). Aven (iniquity/wickedness/idolatry). U'val el'chamah b'man'ammehem (and let me not feast on their delicacies). Lacham (eat/feast); man'am (dainty/delicacy). Fellowship meals signified partnership—eating with evil workers implied approval, participation.