Let
the righteous strike me, it is kindness; let him reprove me, it is like oil on the head; don’t let my head refuse it; Yet my prayer is always against evil deeds.
Psalm 141:5
Psalm 141 [1.] Yahweh, I have called on you.
Come to me quickly!
Listen to my voice when I call to you.
Let my prayer be set before you like incense;
the lifting up of my hands like the evening sacrifice.
Set a watch, Yahweh, before my mouth.
Keep the door of my lips.
Don’t incline my heart to any evil thing,
to practice deeds of wickedness with men who work iniquity.
Don’t let me eat of their delicacies.
Let the righteous strike me, it is kindness;
let him reprove me, it is like oil on the head;
don’t let my head refuse it;
Yet my prayer is always against evil deeds.
Their judges are thrown down by the sides of the rock.
They will hear my words, for they are well spoken.
“As when one plows and breaks up the earth,
our bones are scattered at the mouth of Sheol.”[a]
For my eyes are on you, Yahweh, the Lord.
In you, I take refuge.
Don’t leave my soul destitute.
Keep me from the snare which they have laid for me,
from the traps of the workers of iniquity.
Psalm 141 [10.] Let the wicked fall together into their own nets,
while I pass by.
Footnotes:
a. Psalm 141:7 Sheol is the place of the dead.
Meaning:
This verse reflects a humble and teachable spirit, where the psalmist, David, invites correction and discipline from the righteous. He recognizes the value of being corrected by those who walk in righteousness and sees such reproof as an act of love and mercy rather than something to resist or resent. David desires to stay on the path of righteousness and acknowledges that correction is necessary to remain faithful to God’s ways.
- The Blessing of Righteous Correction
David’s attitude in this verse is remarkable because it highlights a posture of humility. He does not resist correction; rather, he welcomes it as something beneficial to his soul. When he says, “Let the righteous strike me, it is a kindness,” he’s not asking for literal harm but for the spiritual discipline that comes from being corrected when he goes astray. The "strikes" of the righteous, though they may feel painful at first, are ultimately acts of kindness. In fact, David perceives correction as an essential part of spiritual growth.
This theme resonates with Proverbs 27:6, which says, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” In both passages, the “wounds” of someone who loves you—whether it be a righteous friend or a person of God—are considered faithful and kind because they help guide you toward righteousness. Honest correction, though it may be difficult to receive, helps us avoid greater harm by keeping us aligned with God’s will.
David knew the value of being held accountable. In his life, he was confronted by the prophet Nathan after his sin with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12). Nathan’s rebuke was painful, but it was necessary for David’s repentance and restoration. Without correction, David might have continued in his sin, but because Nathan courageously confronted him, David was able to turn back to God in humility. This correction became an act of kindness because it led to David's reconciliation with God.
- Reproof as “Oil on the Head”
The second part of the verse, “Let him reprove me, it is like oil on the head,” uses an image of anointing oil to describe correction. In biblical times, oil was often used as a symbol of blessing, healing, and consecration. Anointing someone’s head with oil was a way of setting them apart for a special purpose or of symbolizing the outpouring of God’s Spirit upon them. Here, David likens reproof to that oil, suggesting that correction has a purifying and sanctifying effect on the one receiving it. Just as oil refreshes and heals, so too does righteous reproof restore and renew.
Correction, when it comes from a place of righteousness, is not meant to tear us down but to build us up. It is meant to heal, cleanse, and lead us closer to God. Hebrews 12:11 captures this truth: “All chastening seems for the present to be not joyous, but grievous; yet afterward it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” Though discipline and reproof might be uncomfortable or even painful at the moment, they ultimately lead to spiritual growth and righteousness.
David’s imagery of oil also points to the need for a receptive spirit. Just as oil is absorbed by the skin, so too must correction be absorbed into our hearts and minds. We need to allow the words of righteous correction to penetrate us deeply, leading to transformation.
- “Let Not My Head Refuse It”
David’s plea in the third part of the verse is, “Let not my head refuse it.” He recognizes that there is a temptation to resist correction, to reject the difficult truths that others might point out to us. Pride can often get in the way, making it hard for us to accept reproof, even when it comes from someone who genuinely cares about our spiritual well-being.
However, David doesn’t want to fall into that trap. He is asking God for the humility to accept correction, even when it stings. This is a powerful prayer for all of us. Our natural inclination may be to defend ourselves, to justify our actions, or to brush aside the concerns of others, but David models a better way. He shows us that a humble, teachable spirit is essential for spiritual growth.
In James 1:19-20, we are reminded, “Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; for the anger of man doesn’t produce the righteousness of God.” Being “swift to hear” involves being willing to listen to correction and instruction, especially when it comes from a place of righteousness. David’s prayer here is for the grace to be swift to hear and slow to resist, acknowledging that correction leads to greater alignment with God’s purposes.
- Prayer Against Evil Deeds
The final part of the verse, “for my prayer is continually against evil deeds,” clarifies David’s intention. His desire for correction is rooted in his opposition to evil. He wants to be kept from sin, and he recognizes that righteous reproof is a key part of staying on the right path. David doesn’t want to fall into wickedness, and he knows that one way to guard against it is by remaining open to correction from those who are righteous.
David’s heart here reflects his deeper desire to live in a way that pleases God. He is not interested in preserving his pride or maintaining a façade of perfection. Rather, his primary concern is avoiding evil and growing in righteousness, even if that means being corrected along the way. His continual prayer against evil deeds shows his awareness of the ongoing spiritual battle and the need for God’s help—and the help of others—to stay faithful.
The Importance of Community and Accountability
This verse also reminds us of the importance of being in community with others who are walking with God. We are not meant to journey through the Christian life in isolation. God places people around us—righteous friends, mentors, and fellow believers—who can help us stay accountable and on the right path. Their words of correction and encouragement are crucial to our growth. Proverbs 12:15 says, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who is wise listens to counsel.” Wisdom comes from being willing to receive the counsel and correction of others.
In our lives, we should strive to cultivate relationships where honest, loving reproof is welcome. This requires both humility and trust. We need the kind of friends and spiritual leaders who will tell us the truth in love, even when it’s difficult. And we need to be the kind of people who are willing to listen and learn, allowing the “oil” of righteous reproof to anoint our heads and heal our souls.
Conclusion: Psalm 141:5 gives us a profound perspective on correction and discipline. It teaches us that the “wounds” of a righteous friend or mentor are acts of kindness, intended for our growth and healing. Just as oil anoints and refreshes, so too does godly reproof sanctify us and draw us closer to God. David’s humble prayer serves as a model for us—he prays for a teachable spirit and a heart that welcomes correction because he knows it will help him stay away from evil.
May we, like David, seek out and value righteous correction, knowing that it is a sign of love and a tool for our spiritual growth. Let us surround ourselves with people who will help us stay faithful, and may we never let pride or defensiveness keep us from receiving the grace that comes through reproof.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible