Psalms 140:5 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The enemies have set hidden traps to ensnare and capture the psalmist.
The Context of Psalms 140:5
The enemies' use of hidden traps and snares along the psalmist's path.
What Does Psalms 140:5 Mean?
The enemies employ multiple methods of entrapment: snares, cords, nets, and gins (devices that catch or restrain). The variety of traps suggests both the enemies' determination and the multifaceted danger the psalmist faces. These are not sudden attacks but carefully prepared ambushes—'by the wayside' indicates traps placed in the path the psalmist would naturally take.
The term 'proud' at the beginning connects these schemes to arrogance and presumption. The enemies believe they can override the psalmist's freedom and safety through cunning. Selah calls for meditation on the perilousness of such hidden dangers and the need for divine awareness of what is hidden from human sight.
Psalms 140:5 in the Original Language
moqush (מוֹקֵשׁ), 'snare' — a trap or noose set to catch the unwary.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 140:5
What does Psalms 140:5 mean?
The enemies have set hidden traps to ensnare and capture the psalmist.
What is the context of Psalms 140:5?
The enemies' use of hidden traps and snares along the psalmist's path.