Psalm 57:6 - Printer Friendly

What does Psalm 57:6 mean?

ESV: 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

NIV: 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.

NASB: 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

CSB: They prepared a net for my steps; I was despondent. They dug a pit ahead of me, but they fell into it! Selah

NLT: 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

KJV: 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.

NKJV: 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

Verse Commentary:

The evil King Saul tried to kill David (1 Samuel 19:1–2; 22:1; 24:2–3). Those efforts ultimately failed, and David became the first of God's endorsed line of kings (2 Samuel 7:12–16). When this psalm was written, David had not yet seen victory over his enemies. Yet he writes as if that success had already happened. Their attacks had left him anxious and fearful (Psalm 55:4–6; 57:1–4). This causes David's soul to "bend:" a figure of speech much like the English expression "wringing one's hands," which also means someone is intensely worried.

David suggests that the evil intents of others have turned into their own downfall (Proverbs 29:6; Psalm 9:16). Nets and pits were common traps used to capture animals. In warfare, they could also be useful ways to catch an enemy off guard. An evil person may pursue their goals so blindly and wickedly that they fail to recognize other dangers. In their attempt to harm others, they harm themselves. In the early days of the Church, evil King Herod raged against the believers. He executed the apostle James and imprisoned the apostle Peter with the intention of executing him too. But the Lord freed Peter and ended Herod's life abruptly and dramatically (Acts 12:21–23).

In other cases, the evil person may fall victim to the exact same trap they've set for someone else. The book of Esther talks about wicked Haman's efforts to dispose of righteous Mordecai. His final effort was the building of gallows on which to hang Mordecai, but the plan backfired. Haman was hung on his own gallows (Esther 7:7–10).

This verse uses the term selah, which is not clearly defined. However, it seems to indicate a pause. This is appropriate, in that the following verses are enthusiastic, and dramatic, in their praise of the Lord.

Psalm 57:6–11 closes David's combination of prayer for deliverance with praise for God's expected rescue. Like the first section of the psalm, this section concludes with the refrain declaring the Lord's glory and praise over the entire world.

Chapter Summary:

David asks for God's merciful protection, with full confidence that it will be delivered. Despite the vicious attacks of his enemies, David resolves to praise the Lord. This is motivated, in part, by appreciation for God's loyal, merciful, caring love. He declares that the Lord's praise should be heard all over the world.

Chapter Context:

Along with Psalms 56 and 142, this was composed in response to David's escape from Saul (1 Samuel 19:1–2; 22:1). This included hiding in cave, where David turned down an opportunity to kill his enemy (1 Samuel 24:1–22). David is entirely sure that God will fulfill His promises (1 Samuel 16:12–13).

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.

Accessed 12/4/2024 3:49:18 AM