Psalms 119:110
The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.
Original Language Analysis
נָתְנ֬וּ
have laid
H5414
נָתְנ֬וּ
have laid
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
1 of 7
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
רְשָׁעִ֣ים
The wicked
H7563
רְשָׁעִ֣ים
The wicked
Strong's:
H7563
Word #:
2 of 7
morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
וּ֝מִפִּקּוּדֶ֗יךָ
not from thy precepts
H6490
וּ֝מִפִּקּוּדֶ֗יךָ
not from thy precepts
Strong's:
H6490
Word #:
5 of 7
properly, appointed, i.e., a mandate (of god; plural only, collectively, for the law)
Cross References
Psalms 140:5The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the wayside; they have set gins for me. Selah.Psalms 141:9Keep me from the snares which they have laid for me, and the gins of the workers of iniquity.Psalms 119:85The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law.Psalms 119:95The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies.Psalms 119:10With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.Jeremiah 18:22Let a cry be heard from their houses, when thou shalt bring a troop suddenly upon them: for they have digged a pit to take me, and hid snares for my feet.Psalms 119:87They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts.Psalms 119:21Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.Psalms 119:51The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.Daniel 6:10Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.
Historical Context
David's experience with Saul's spies and Absalom's conspiracies provides the backdrop. In wisdom literature, the wicked constantly set traps for the righteous (Prov 1:11-18). Later Jewish readers would see this fulfilled in Haman's plot against the Jews (Esther) and continuing persecution.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'snares' have enemies or circumstances laid to make you compromise God's word?
- How do you distinguish between legitimate trials and satanic traps designed to make you err?
- In what areas of life are you most vulnerable to wandering from God's precepts under pressure?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The wicked have laid a snare for me (פַּח טָמְנוּ לִי רְשָׁעִים, pach tamnu li resha'im)—the verb taman means to hide or conceal, used of hunters setting traps (Ps 9:15, 35:7, 140:5). The pach is a fowler's trap, depicting calculated malice. This is not random persecution but deliberate, concealed plotting against the righteous.
The psalmist's response: yet I erred not from thy precepts (וּמִפִּקּוּדֶיךָ לֹא תָעִיתִי, umippiqudekha lo ta'iti). The verb ta'ah means to wander, go astray, lose the way. Though enemies set traps to make him stumble, he did not deviate from God's path. This verse teaches that the greatest victory over Satan's snares is not avoiding them but refusing to abandon God's word when caught in them. Joseph in Potiphar's house (Gen 39) exemplifies this—trapped by circumstances yet faithful to God's commands.