Deep Dive

Psalms 140:5

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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

Deep dive References (12)

Commentaries

Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.

Matthew Henry Bible Commentaryv. 5

This and the four following psalms are much of a piece, and the scope of them the same with many that we met with in the beginning and middle of the book of Psalms, though with but few of late. They were penned by David (as it should seem) when he was persecuted by Saul; one of them is said to be his "prayer when he was in the cave," and it is probable that all the rest were penned about the same time. In this psalm, I. David complains of the malice of his enemies, and prays to God to preserve him from them (Psa 140:1-5). II. He encourages himself in God as his God (Psa 140:6, Psa 140:7). III. He prays for, and prophesies, the destruction of his persecutors (Psa 140:8-11). IV. He assures all God's afflicted people that their troubles would in due time end well (Psa 140:12, Psa 140:13), with which assurance we must comfort ourselves, and one another, in singing this psalm. To the chief musician. A psalm of David.

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Original language

The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).

Strong's Concordancev. 5

גֵּאֶה (gêʼeh, H1343) — lofty; figuratively, arrogant טָמַן (ṭâman, H2934) — to hide (by covering over) פַּח (pach, H6341) — a (metallic) sheet (as pounded thin); also a spring net (as spread out like a lamina) חֶבֶל (chebel, H2256) — a rope (as twisted), especially a measuring line; by implication, a district or… פָּרַשׂ (pâras, H6566) — to break apart, disperse, etc. רֶשֶׁת (resheth, H7568) — a net (as catching animals) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), מַעְגָּל (maʻgâl, H4570) — a track (literally or figuratively); also a rampart (as circular) שִׁית (shîyth, H7896) — to place (in a very wide application) מוֹקֵשׁ (môwqêsh, H4170) — a noose (for catching animals) (literally or figuratively); by implication, a hook (for… סֶלָה (çelâh, H5542) — suspension (of music), i.e. pause

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Cross-references

Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.

Psalms 35:7rank 7

For without cause they laid their net for me; without reason they dug a pit for my soul.

Psalms 142:3rank 7

Although my spirit grows faint within me, You know my way. Along the path I travel they have hidden a snare for me.

Jeremiah 18:22rank 6

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.

Jeremiah 18:20rank 4

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.

Psalms 119:85rank 4

The arrogant have dug pits for me in violation of Your law.

Psalms 57:6rank 4

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 119:69rank 3

Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies, I keep Your precepts with all my heart.

Job 18:9rank 3

A trap seizes his heel; a snare grips him.

Proverbs 29:5rank 3

A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.

Psalms 119:110rank 3

The wicked have set a snare for me, but I have not strayed from Your precepts.

Commentaries

Original language

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