What is prayer compared to, in Psalm 141:2?

What is prayer compared to, in Psalm 141:2?

• A. Incense and the evening offering
• B. Fires of the altar
• C. Music of the temple
• D. Voices of the prophets

Answer: (A)

Prayer is pictured as a fragrant offering rising before God. In this verse, the psalmist asks that prayers be set before Him like incense, and that lifting the hands in prayer be like the evening sacrifice. The incense image conveys a pleasing, continual devotion that ascends to heaven, showing prayer as a worship act that complements ritual sacrifice. The reference to the evening offering ties prayer to the regular rhythm of temple worship, emphasizing devotion and supplication as part of daily worship. Other temple images such as fires, music, or voices of the prophets aren’t used here; the emphasis is specifically on incense and the evening sacrifice. Thus prayer is compared to incense and the evening offering.

Prayer is pictured as a fragrant offering rising before God. In this verse, the psalmist asks that prayers be set before Him like incense, and that lifting the hands in prayer be like the evening sacrifice. The incense image conveys a pleasing, continual devotion that ascends to heaven, showing prayer as a worship act that complements ritual sacrifice. The reference to the evening offering ties prayer to the regular rhythm of temple worship, emphasizing devotion and supplication as part of daily worship. Other temple images such as fires, music, or voices of the prophets aren’t used here; the emphasis is specifically on incense and the evening sacrifice. Thus prayer is compared to incense and the evening offering.