Psalms 140:5 Meaning: The Many Hidden Snares
The proud have hidden a snare for me, they have spread the cords of a net by the path. They have set traps for me. Selah.
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.
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
The proud hid a snare for me--and cords, They spread a net by the side of the path, Snares they have set for me. Selah.
The proud have hidden a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the way-side; they have set traps for me. Selah.
Meaning in one sentence
In Psalm 140:5, David describes his enemies setting multiple hidden traps.
Context
Psalm 140 is a prayer of David, likely written during the years when Saul hunted him or when other powerful men conspired against him. The opening verses plead for deliverance from evil and violent people who devise mischief and sharpen their tongues like serpents. In verse 5, the psalmist zooms in on their hidden methods: they have set snares, spread nets, and placed traps where he walks. The multiple hunting metaphors emphasize that their opposition is neither open nor fair, but secret and cunning. Yet David does not panic; he names the danger and pauses, Selah, to reflect before the God who sees all.
Key Words
This verse packs together four hunting images, each showing a different side of the danger. A snare is a hidden trap that springs without warning. Cords are the ropes used to pull a net tight when the victim steps in. A net lies on the ground, camouflaged, ready to be jerked closed. And the word translated as traps or gins means baits or lures, something that draws you in before the harm happens. Together these words paint a picture of an enemy who leaves nothing to chance. They attack from every hidden angle, using secrecy and deception.
The verse calls them proud, not simply arrogant. Their pride shows in their belief that they can set these traps without God noticing. And then comes Selah, a call to stop and sit with that contradiction: the schemes are clever, but God is not fooled.
How Christians Read This Verse
Across Christian traditions, this verse has been read in layers. Protestant Reformers like Calvin focused on David's historical enemies and his trust in God's protection. The Geneva Bible ties the “proud” to specific people like the Ziphites who betrayed David. Early church fathers often saw the hunting imagery as representing the hidden plots of evil spirits. Catholics have long used this psalm in prayers for deliverance from unseen dangers. What unites all these readings is the conviction that God is not tricked by hidden schemes and that the psalmist’s honest cry is a model for bringing our own hidden struggles before Him.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers dismiss the multiple hunting images as poetic exaggeration or primitive revenge fantasies. In fact, the verse is not hyperbolic; it is a precise description of enemies who combine stealth, secrecy, and deception to destroy. David is not exaggerating, he is naming the real, layered threat. The Selah invites us to stop and believe that God sees every hidden strategy, even when we cannot.
Living This Out
This week, you might feel like someone is working against you behind your back, a coworker spreading rumors, a friend who misleads, or a situation where the truth is hidden. David shows you what to do: name it to God. You do not have to pretend you are not threatened. You can list the “snares” as honestly as David did. Then pause like the Selah and remember that God is not caught off guard. Your prayer does not need to be long. It can be simple: “Lord, they have set a trap. But You are my stronghold.” The hidden things are not hidden from Him.
Main takeaway: God sees every hidden trap laid against you, and He is the deliverer who can keep your feet safe on the path.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Sometimes people try to trick us or be mean when we are not looking. But God sees everything, even what is hidden. You can tell Him when you feel scared.
For ages 9, 12
In this psalm, David says his enemies set snares, nets, and traps to catch him off guard. It feels unfair when people plot against you in secret. But David did not panic; he prayed and trusted that God saw every hidden plan. When you feel like someone is being sneaky or unfair, you can pray like David did. You can say, “God, You see what I cannot see. Please protect me.” God cares about what is hidden and will never let you walk alone.
Questions People Ask
What does 'snare' mean in Psalm 140:5?
A snare is a hidden trap used by hunters to catch birds or animals by surprise. In this verse, it symbolizes the secret plots of enemies who want to ruin David without warning.
Why does David use multiple hunting metaphors in this verse?
Each metaphor, snare, cords, net, traps, adds a different angle to describe how thorough and cunning the enemy's schemes are. It shows that they are attacking from every hidden direction, not just one.
What is the significance of 'Selah' at the end of the verse?
Selah likely instructs the reader or singer to pause and reflect. It is a call to stop and let the weight of the psalmist's words, and his trust in God, sink in.
Who are 'the proud' in Psalm 140:5?
The proud are those who are arrogant and defy God. They act as if they can get away with their hidden plans because they do not fear God's judgment.
How can Christians apply Psalm 140:5 today?
Christians can bring their hidden struggles and secret opposition before God, trusting that He sees every hidden trap. The verse models honest prayer in the face of danger, without pretending everything is fine.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study