Bible Strands
Psalms 140:5
The proud hide a snare for me; the cords of their net are spread along the path, and lures are set out for me. Selah
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses the LORD, pleading for protection from violent men who actively scheme to make him stumble. This plea directly follows a description of enemies laying ambushes along his daily path.
The words — The Hebrew גֵאִ֨ים (ge.'Im) identifies the aggressors as proud individuals, while פַּ֡ח (pach) denotes a physical snare. These terms ground the psalmist’s distress in concrete, observable danger.
The thread — The motif of hidden traps and spread nets recurs in Psalms 35:7, Psalms 142:3, and Jeremiah 18:22. These passages consistently depict enemies using concealed ambushes to capture or destroy the righteous.
Why it lands — The text reports that enemies physically concealed snares and stretched nets along the psalmist’s route to catch him. A reader must acknowledge the reality of targeted opposition before turning to divine intervention for deliverance.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the wayside; they have set gins for me. Selah.
Cross-references
- Psalms 35:7 For without cause they laid their net for me; without reason they dug a pit for my soul.
- Psalms 142:3 Although my spirit grows faint within me, You know my way. Along the path I travel they have hidden a snare for me.
- Jeremiah 18:22 Let a cry be heard from their houses when You suddenly bring raiders against them, for they have dug a pit to capture me and have hidden snares for my feet.
- Psalms 57:6 They spread a net for my feet; my soul was despondent. They dug a pit before me, but they themselves have fallen into it! Selah
- Psalms 119:85 The arrogant have dug pits for me in violation of Your law.
- Psalms 123:3 Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy, for we have endured much contempt.
- Jeremiah 18:20 Should good be repaid with evil? Yet they have dug a pit for me. Remember how I stood before You to speak good on their behalf, to turn Your wrath from them.
- Luke 20:20 So they watched Him closely and sent spies who pretended to be sincere. They were hoping to catch Him in His words in order to hand Him over to the rule and authority of the governor.
- Job 18:9 A trap seizes his heel; a snare grips him.
- Psalms 10:4 In his pride the wicked man does not seek Him; in all his schemes there is no God.