New International Version They 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 Translation My 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 Version They 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 Bible 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 Berean Literal Bible They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bent down; they have dug before me a pit—may they fall into its midst! Selah King James Bible They 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 Version They 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 Bible They 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 1995 They 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 1977 They 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 Bible They 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 Bible They 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. Berean Annotated Bible 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 Christian Standard Bible They 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 Bible They prepared a net for my steps; I was despondent. They dug a pit ahead of me, but they fell into it! Selah American Standard Version 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 Contemporary English Version Enemies set traps for my feet and struck me down. They dug a pit in my path, but fell in it themselves. English Revised Version They 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 Translation My 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 Version They 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 Bible They 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 Bible They 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 Translation They 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 Bible They 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. Berean Literal Bible They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bent down; they have dug before me a pit—may they fall 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 Translation They 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 Version 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. Selah Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThey 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 1917They 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 it themselves. Pause. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context In You My Soul Takes Refuge…5Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; may Your glory cover all the earth. 6They spread a net for my feet; my soul was despondent. They dug a pit before me, but they themselves have fallen into it! Selah 7My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast. I will sing and make music.… Cross References They spread a net for my feet; Lamentations 1:13 He sent fire from on high, and it overpowered my bones. He spread a net for my feet and turned me back. He made me desolate, faint all the day long. 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. Psalm 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 my soul was despondent. Psalm 42:5 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him for the salvation of His presence. Matthew 26:38 Then He said to them, “My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me.” Lamentations 3:20 Surely my soul remembers and is humbled within me. They dug a pit before me, 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. Psalm 35:7 For without cause they laid their net for me; without reason they dug a pit for my soul. Psalm 119:85 The arrogant have dug pits for me in violation of Your law. but they themselves have fallen into it! Psalm 9:15-16 The 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 26:27 He who digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him. Ecclesiastes 10:8 He who digs a pit may fall into it, and he who breaches a wall may be bitten by a snake. Selah Psalm 3:2 Many say of me, “God will not deliver him.” Selah Psalm 4:4 Be angry, yet do not sin; on your bed, search your heart and be still. Selah Habakkuk 3:3 God came from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah His glory covered the heavens, and His praise filled the earth. Psalm 7:15-16 He 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. 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 ditch which he made… Psalm 9:15,16 The heathen are sunk down in the pit that 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 net in 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 Bent Bowed Dig Digged Distress Dug Fall Fallen Feet Great Hole Midst Net Path Pit Prepared Ready Selah Soul Spread Steps Themselves Thereof Way WhereofJump to Next Bent Bowed Dig Digged Distress Dug Fall Fallen Feet Great Hole Midst Net Path Pit Prepared Ready Selah Soul Spread Steps Themselves Thereof Way WhereofPsalm 57 1. David in prayer fleeing unto God, complains of his dangerous case7. He encourages himself to praise God They spread a net for my feet; David’s enemies pursued him with calculated malice, seeking to trap him as hunters capture prey. Their opposition was not accidental but deliberate, aimed at bringing down the king God had chosen. Lam 1:13 He sent fire from on high, and it overpowered my bones.… my soul was despondent. Constant danger weighed heavily on David. Though he trusted God, he did not deny the fear and sorrow produced by betrayal, pursuit, and the threat of death. Psa 42:5 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me?… They dug a pit before me, His adversaries prepared his destruction in advance, like men setting a concealed trap. The pit portrays their intent to ruin him completely. Jer 18:20 Should good be repaid with evil? Yet they have dug a pit… but they themselves have fallen into it! God overturned their plans, bringing their evil back upon them. The enemies who sought David’s downfall became victims of their own schemes, displaying God’s justice and protection of His servant. Psa 9:15-16 The nations have fallen into a pit of their making;… Selah Selah, a pause for reflection or musical interlude, calls for reflection on God’s power to frustrate wicked plans and preserve those who depend on Him. Psa 3:2 Many say of me, “God will not deliver him.” Selah 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. Enemies The adversaries of David who are plotting against him, symbolized by the spreading of a net and digging of a pit. 3. Cave of Adullam While 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 Adversity Like 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 Malice Those who plot evil against others often fall into their own traps. This serves as a warning against harboring malice or deceit. Selah - Pause and Reflect The use of "Selah" invites us to pause and reflect on God's faithfulness and the assurance of His protection. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Psalm 57:6?2. How does Psalm 57:6 illustrate the consequences of setting traps for others? 3. What does Psalm 57:6 teach about God's justice and protection for the righteous? 4. How can we apply the lesson of Psalm 57:6 in our daily lives? 5. What similar themes are found in Proverbs regarding traps and consequences? 6. How does Psalm 57:6 encourage trust in God's deliverance from adversaries? 7. How does Psalm 57:6 reflect God's justice in the face of human deceit? 8. What historical context influenced the writing of Psalm 57:6? 9. How does Psalm 57:6 challenge our understanding of divine protection? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Psalm 57? (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. David’s short verse paints a three-part story: enemies plot, the righteous feel the weight, God flips the outcome. Nets, pits, and despair are real, but so is the Lord’s intervention. Wait on Him; He still turns snares into platforms for praise.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew They spreadהֵכִ֣ינוּ (hê·ḵî·nū) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 3559: To be erect a net רֶ֤שֶׁת ׀ (re·šeṯ) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 7568: A net for my feet; לִפְעָמַי֮ (lip̄·‘ā·may) Preposition-l | Noun - feminine plural construct | first person common singular Strong's 6471: A beat, foot, anvil, occurrence my soul נַ֫פְשִׁ֥י (nap̄·šî) Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion was despondent. כָּפַ֪ף (kā·p̄ap̄) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3721: To bend, bend down, be bent or bowed They dug כָּר֣וּ (kā·rū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 3738: To dig, to plot, to bore, open a pit שִׁיחָ֑ה (šî·ḥāh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 7882: A pit-fall before me, לְפָנַ֣י (lə·p̄ā·nay) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular Strong's 6440: The face but they themselves have fallen נָפְל֖וּ (nā·p̄ə·lū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 5307: To fall, lie into it! בְתוֹכָ֣הּ (ḇə·ṯō·w·ḵāh) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular Strong's 8432: A bisection, the centre Selah סֶֽלָה׃ (se·lāh) Interjection Strong's 5542: Suspension, pause Additonal Resources Psalm 57:6 Blue Letter BiblePsalm 57:6 Bible Gateway Psalm 57:6 Bible.com Psalm 57:6 NIV |
    |