New International VersionThey spread a net for my feet— I was bowed down in distress. They dug a pit in my path— but they have fallen into it themselves.
New Living TranslationMy enemies have set a trap for me. I am weary from distress. They have dug a deep pit in my path, but they themselves have fallen into it. Interlude
English Standard VersionThey set a net for my steps; my soul was bowed down. They dug a pit in my way, but they have fallen into it themselves. Selah
Berean Standard BibleThey spread a net for my feet; my soul was despondent. They dug a pit before me, but they themselves have fallen into it! Selah
King James BibleThey have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves. Selah.
New King James VersionThey have prepared a net for my steps; My soul is bowed down; They have dug a pit before me; Into the midst of it they themselves have fallen. Selah
New American Standard BibleThey have prepared a net for my steps; My soul is bowed down; They dug a pit before me; They themselves have fallen into the midst of it. Selah
NASB 1995They have prepared a net for my steps; My soul is bowed down; They dug a pit before me; They themselves have fallen into the midst of it. Selah.
NASB 1977They have prepared a net for my steps; My soul is bowed down; They dug a pit before me; They themselves have fallen into the midst of it. Selah.
Legacy Standard BibleThey have set a net for my steps; My soul is bowed down; They dug a pit before me; They themselves have fallen into the midst of it. Selah.
Amplified BibleThey set a net for my steps; My very life was bowed down. They dug a pit before me; Into the midst of it they themselves have fallen. Selah.
Christian Standard BibleThey prepared a net for my steps; I was despondent. They dug a pit ahead of me, but they fell into it! Selah
Holman Christian Standard BibleThey prepared a net for my steps; I was despondent. They dug a pit ahead of me, but they fell into it! Selah
American Standard VersionThey have prepared a net for my steps; My soul is bowed down: They have digged a pit before me; They are fallen into the midst thereof themselves. [Selah
Contemporary English VersionEnemies set traps for my feet and struck me down. They dug a pit in my path, but fell in it themselves.
English Revised VersionThey have prepared a net for my steps; thy soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me; they are fallen into the midst thereof themselves. Selah
GOD'S WORD® Translation[My enemies] spread out a net to catch me. (My soul is bowed down.) They dug a pit to trap me, but then they fell into it. [Selah]
Good News TranslationMy enemies have spread a net to catch me; I am overcome with distress. They dug a pit in my path, but fell into it themselves.
International Standard VersionThey have set a snare for my feet, which makes me depressed. They dug a pit in front of me, but they are the ones who fell into it! Interlude
NET BibleThey have prepared a net to trap me; I am discouraged. They have dug a pit for me. They will fall into it! (Selah)
New Heart English BibleThey have prepared a net for my steps. My soul is bowed down. They dig a pit before me. They fall into its midst themselves. Selah.
Webster's Bible TranslationThey have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst of which they have fallen themselves. Selah. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThey spread a net for my feet; my soul was despondent. They dug a pit before me, but they themselves have fallen into it! Selah
World English BibleThey have prepared a net for my steps. My soul is bowed down. They dig a pit before me. They fall into the middle of it themselves. Selah. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionThey have prepared a net for my steps, "" My soul has bowed down, "" They have dug a pit before me, "" They have fallen into its midst. Selah.
Young's Literal Translation A net they have prepared for my steps, Bowed down hath my soul, They have digged before me a pit, They have fallen into its midst. Selah.
Smith's Literal TranslationThey prepared a net for my steps; my soul was bent down: they dug a pit before me, they fell into the midst of it. Silence. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThey prepared a snare for my feet; and they bowed down my soul. They dug a pit before my face, and they are fallen into it.
Catholic Public Domain VersionThey prepared a snare for my feet, and they bowed down my soul. They dug a pit before my face, yet they have fallen into it.
New American Bible
They have set a trap for my feet; my soul is bowed down; They have dug a pit before me. May they fall into it themselves!Selah
New Revised Standard Version
They set a net for my steps; my soul was bowed down. They dug a pit in my path, but they have fallen into it themselves. SelahTranslations from Aramaic Lamsa Bible
They have prepared a net for my feet; they have digged a pit for my soul, into the midst of which they themselves have fallen.
Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
They prepared a net for my feet and they have dug a ditch for my soul and they fell into it.OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917
They have prepared a net for my steps, My soul is bowed down; They have digged a pit before me, They are fallen into the midst thereof themselves. Selah
Brenton Septuagint Translation
They have prepared snares for my feet, and have bowed down my soul: they have dug a pit before my face, and fallen into itthemselves. Pause.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context In You My Soul Takes Refuge… 5Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; may Your glory cover all the earth. 6They spreada netfor my feet;my soulwas despondent.They duga pitbefore me,but they themselves have falleninto it!Selah7My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast. I will sing and make music.…
Cross References Psalm 7:15-16He has dug a hole and hollowed it out; he has fallen into a pit of his own making. / His trouble recoils on himself, and his violence falls on his own head.
Psalm 9:15-16The nations have fallen into a pit of their making; their feet are caught in the net they have hidden. / The LORD is known by the justice He brings; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands. Higgaion Selah
Proverbs 26:27He who digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.
Ecclesiastes 10:8He who digs a pit may fall into it, and he who breaches a wall may be bitten by a snake.
Psalm 35:7-8For without cause they laid their net for me; without reason they dug a pit for my soul. / May ruin befall them by surprise; may the net they hid ensnare them; may they fall into the hazard they created.
Psalm 141:10Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by in safety.
Proverbs 28:10He who leads the upright along the path of evil will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will inherit what is good.
Jeremiah 18:20-23Should 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. / Therefore, hand their children over to famine; pour out the power of the sword upon them. Let their wives become childless and widowed; let their husbands be slain by disease, their young men struck down by the sword in battle. / 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. ...
Esther 7:10So they hanged Haman on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the fury of the king subsided.
Daniel 6:24At the command of the king, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought and thrown into the den of lions—they and their children and wives. And before they had reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.
Matthew 7:2For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Matthew 26:52“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him. “For all who draw the sword will die by the sword.
Luke 6:37-38Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. / Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”
Galatians 6:7Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return.
Romans 2:1-3You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on another. For on whatever grounds you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. / And we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. / So when you, O man, pass judgment on others, yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment?
Treasury of Scripture They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have dig a pit before me, into the middle whereof they are fallen themselves. Selah. a net Psalm 7:15,16 He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditchwhich he made… Psalm 9:15,16 The heathen are sunk down in the pitthat they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken… Psalm 35:7,8 For without cause have they hid for me their netin a pit,which without cause they have digged for my soul… my soul Psalm 42:6 O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar. Psalm 142:3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me. Psalm 143:4 Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate. Jump to Previous BentBowedDigDiggedDistressDugFallFallenFeetGreatHoleMidstNetPathPitPreparedReadySelahSoulSpreadStepsThemselvesThereofWayWhereofJump to Next BentBowedDigDiggedDistressDugFallFallenFeetGreatHoleMidstNetPathPitPreparedReadySelahSoulSpreadStepsThemselvesThereofWayWhereofPsalm 57 1.David in prayer fleeing unto God, complains of his dangerous case7.He encourages himself to praise GodThey spread a net for my feet;This phrase reflects a common metaphor in ancient Near Eastern literature, where enemies are depicted as hunters setting traps for their prey. The imagery of a net suggests a deliberate and cunning attempt to ensnare the psalmist. In biblical context, this can be seen as a representation of the schemes and plots of adversaries against the righteous. The net is often used in Scripture to symbolize the deceitful plans of the wicked (e.g., Psalm 140:5). This imagery is also reminiscent of the spiritual warfare described in Ephesians 6:11, where believers are warned to stand against the schemes of the devil. my soul was despondent.
The psalmist's expression of despondency indicates a deep emotional and spiritual struggle. This reflects the human experience of feeling overwhelmed by adversity and opposition. In the historical context, David, the attributed author of this psalm, often faced life-threatening situations, such as when he fled from Saul. The despondency here can be likened to the "valley of the shadow of death" mentioned inPsalm 23:4, where the psalmist relies on God's presence for comfort. This phrase also connects to the New Testament, where Jesus experienced deep sorrow in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:38), highlighting the shared human experience of distress. They dug a pit before me,
The act of digging a pit is another metaphor for the malicious intentions of the psalmist's enemies. In ancient times, pits were used as traps for animals or as prisons for captives. This imagery suggests premeditated harm and echoes other biblical passages where the wicked are described as setting traps for the righteous (e.g.,Psalm 7:15). The pit can also symbolize the grave or Sheol, representing the ultimate threat of death. This phrase underscores the persistent danger faced by the psalmist, akin to the threats faced by Jesus during His earthly ministry. but they themselves have fallen into it!
This statement reveals a reversal of fortune, a common theme in biblical literature where the plans of the wicked backfire. It reflects the justice of God, who turns the schemes of the wicked against them, as seen inProverbs 26:27. This divine retribution is a recurring theme in the Psalms, where the righteous are vindicated by God's intervention. Theologically, this can be seen as a foreshadowing of Christ's victory over sin and death, where the ultimate trap set by Satan—crucifixion—becomes the means of salvation for humanity. Selah
The term "Selah" is often interpreted as a pause for reflection or a musical interlude. Its exact meaning is uncertain, but it serves as an invitation for the reader or listener to contemplate the preceding verses. In this context, it encourages reflection on the faithfulness of God in delivering the righteous from the schemes of the wicked. This pause allows for meditation on the themes of divine justice and protection, reinforcing the assurance that God is in control, even amidst adversity. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe author of this psalm, David is expressing his trust in God amidst persecution. This psalm is traditionally linked to the time when David fled from Saul and hid in a cave. 2. EnemiesThe adversaries of David who are plotting against him, symbolized by the spreading of a net and digging of a pit. 3. Cave of AdullamWhile not mentioned directly in this verse, the context of the psalm is often associated with David's time hiding in the Cave of Adullam, a place of refuge and reflection. Teaching Points Divine JusticeTrust in God's justice, knowing that He sees the schemes of the wicked and will ultimately bring about justice. Faith in AdversityLike David, we can find solace in God during times of persecution or when others plot against us. Our response should be one of faith and patience. The Pitfall of MaliceThose who plot evil against others often fall into their own traps. This serves as a warning against harboring malice or deceit. Selah - Pause and ReflectThe use of "Selah" invites us to pause and reflect on God's faithfulness and the assurance of His protection. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 57
What defines a steadfast heart?
Psalm 143:7 warns of descending into 'the pit'; does this concept have any scientific or historical grounding beyond the Hebrew worldview?
Psalm 6:3 - If God is all-knowing, why is the Psalmist left in anxious uncertainty, asking 'How long?'
What does being alone with God mean?(6) A net.--For this image, so common in Hebrew hymns, see Psalm 9:15, &c, and for that of the pit,Psalm 7:15, &c My soul is bowed down.--The verb so rendered is everywhere else transitive. So LXX. and Vulg. here, "And have pressed down my soul." Despite the grammar, Ewald alters "my soul" into "their soul." But no conjecture of the kind restores the parallelism, which is here hopelessly lost. We expect, They have prepared a net for my steps; They are caught in it themselves. Verses 6-11. - The strophe of "triumphant confidence" now begins, but with an echo from the strophe of complaint. The enemy is still at work, still plotting against the psalmist, still seeking to do him a mischief; but the efforts made are in vain. They only bring the enemy himself into trouble (ver. 6), and cause the psalmist to pour forth a song of joy (vers. 7-11). Verse 6. - They have prepared a net for my steps (comp. Psalm 9:15; Psalm 10:10; Psalm 25:15; Psalm 31:4; Psalm 35:7). These metaphors from the chase are peculiarly appropriate at the time when Saul was "hunting David upon the mountains" ( 1 Samuel 26:20). My soul is bowed down; rather, they have bowed down my soul; literally, he has bowed down; but the alternate use of the singular and the plural, without any real change of subject, is very common. They have digged a pit before me (comp. Psalm 7:15; Psalm 119:85). Into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves. Here is the first note of triumph - a very familiar note ( Psalm 7:15; Psalm 9:15; Psalm 39:8; Psalm 141:10), but one always sounded with marked satisfaction.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew They spreadהֵכִ֣ינוּ(hê·ḵî·nū)Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3559:To be erecta netרֶ֤שֶׁת ׀(re·šeṯ)Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7568:A netfor my feet;לִפְעָמַי֮(lip̄·‘ā·may)Preposition-l | Noun - feminine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6471:A beat, foot, anvil, occurrencemy soulנַ֫פְשִׁ֥י(nap̄·šî)Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5315:A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotionwas despondent.כָּפַ֪ף(kā·p̄ap̄)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3721:To bend, bend down, be bent or bowedThey dugכָּר֣וּ(kā·rū)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3738:To dig, to plot, to bore, opena pitשִׁיחָ֑ה(šî·ḥāh)Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7882:A pit-fallbefore me,לְפָנַ֣י(lə·p̄ā·nay)Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6440:The facebut they themselves have fallenנָפְל֖וּ(nā·p̄ə·lū)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 5307:To fall, lieinto it!בְתוֹכָ֣הּ(ḇə·ṯō·w·ḵāh)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 8432:A bisection, the centreSelahסֶֽלָה׃(se·lāh)Interjection
Strong's 5542:Suspension, pause
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OT Poetry: Psalm 57:6 They have prepared a net for my (Psalm Ps Psa.) |
