Psalm 119:110 kjv
The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.
Psalm 119:110 nkjv
The wicked have laid a snare for me, Yet I have not strayed from Your precepts.
Psalm 119:110 niv
The wicked have set a snare for me, but I have not strayed from your precepts.
Psalm 119:110 esv
The wicked have laid a snare for me, but I do not stray from your precepts.
Psalm 119:110 nlt
The wicked have set their traps for me,
but I will not turn from your commandments.
Psalm 119 110 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference Note |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 37:32-33 | The wicked watches for the righteous and seeks to put him to death... | Wicked plotting against righteous |
| Ps 140:1-5 | Deliver me, O Yahweh, from evil men... They have hidden a snare for me. | Prayer against snares of the wicked |
| Ps 119:150 | Those who pursue mischief are near; they are far from your law. | Proximity of the wicked to psalmist |
| Ps 9:15-16 | The nations have sunk in the pit that they made; in the net... | Wicked caught in their own trap |
| Ps 38:12 | Those who seek my life lay snares... | Enemies plotting the psalmist's harm |
| Ps 141:9-10 | Keep me from the snare that they have laid for me... | Prayer for deliverance from traps |
| Prov 1:10-19 | My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent... they lie in wait for their own blood. | Warning against sinful traps |
| Prov 29:6 | An evil man is ensnared by his sin, but the righteous sings and rejoices. | Contrast of righteous and wicked's fate |
| 1 Tim 3:7 | ...fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. | Devil's snare, applicable to leaders |
| 2 Tim 2:26 | ...escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him. | Deliverance from the devil's traps |
| Jn 15:18-20 | If the world hates you, know that it hated me before it hated you. | World's hatred for followers of Christ |
| Lk 21:34-35 | But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness... that day come upon you like a snare. | Unexpected, trapping nature of trials |
| Mt 5:10-12 | Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake... | Blessing for enduring persecution |
| 2 Tim 3:12 | Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. | Expectation of persecution for godliness |
| Ps 119:16 | I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word. | Personal delight and commitment to God's word |
| Ps 119:101 | I have restrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep your word. | Conscious effort to obey God's word |
| Ps 1:2 | But his delight is in the law of Yahweh, and on his law he meditates... | Joyful adherence to God's law |
| Jos 1:7 | Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law... do not turn from it. | Command to steadfastly follow the law |
| Deut 5:32 | You shall be careful therefore to do as Yahweh your God has commanded you. You shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. | Strict adherence to God's commands |
| Ps 119:28 | My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word! | Reliance on God's word for strength |
| Ps 119:165 | Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble. | Peace and stability from loving the law |
| Dan 3:16-18 | O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter... but if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods. | Example of obedience amidst threat |
Psalm 119 verses
Psalm 119 110 Meaning
Psalm 119:110 declares the psalmist's unwavering commitment to God's commands despite facing treacherous plots and snares laid by ungodly individuals. It highlights a personal resolve to remain obedient and faithful to divine instruction in the face of intense opposition and hidden dangers. The verse is a testament to the sustaining power of God's word for the righteous amid persecution.
Psalm 119 110 Context
Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, a didactic acrostic poem celebrating and meditating on various aspects of God's Word (e.g., law, statutes, decrees, commands, precepts, promises). The entire psalm reflects the psalmist's deep love for and devotion to God's instruction, serving as his guide, comfort, and strength in life. Amidst this adoration, a recurring theme is the psalmist's experience with adversaries referred to as "the wicked" or "the proud," who scorn him for his commitment to God's law. Verse 110 fits into this larger narrative, showcasing the consistent opposition faced by the righteous from those who disregard God's truth. It emphasizes that this external hostility does not deter the psalmist from internal faithfulness, instead solidifying his resolve.
Psalm 119 110 Word analysis
- The wicked (רְשָׁעִים - rəshāʿîm): Plural of rasha’, denoting those who are unrighteous, guilty, lawless, and actively opposed to God and His ways. In Psalms, they are often characterized by their hostility towards God's people and His laws. Their nature is fundamentally antagonistic to the righteous and their devotion.
- have laid (טָמְנוּ - ṭāmnû): From the root ṭāman, meaning "to hide," "to conceal," "to lay up," or "to bury." In this context, it implies a hidden or secretive act, setting something in place surreptitiously to catch an unsuspecting victim. It suggests cunning and malicious intent.
- a snare (פַּח - paḥ): Literally a bird trap, often a net or gin, set invisibly or deceptively to catch prey. Metaphorically, it refers to any cunning plot, malicious scheme, ambush, or temptation designed to entrap, trip up, cause downfall, or lead someone astray. This signifies a danger that is not straightforward but insidious.
- for me: Emphasizes the personal nature of the threat. The psalmist is the direct and specific target of their malicious intent, not merely observing general wickedness.
- yet I have not strayed (וּמִפִּקּוּדֶיךָ לֹא תָעִיתִי - u-mippiqqudêḵā lōʾ ṯāʿîṯî): The conjunction u (and/yet) introduces a strong contrast. Lōʾ ṯāʿîṯî (I have not strayed) uses the verb ta'ah, meaning "to wander," "to go astray," "to err," or "to deviate." This is a definitive statement of continued adherence, implying a conscious and sustained effort to remain on the prescribed path, resisting the trap's pull. It conveys integrity and resilience.
- from your precepts (מִפִּקּוּדֶיךָ - mippiqqudêḵā): Piqqudim are divine "precepts," "ordinances," or "instructions." This term emphasizes God's careful oversight and the specific directions He gives for how one ought to live. These precepts are the standard and boundary the psalmist refused to transgress, representing the guiding truth he clung to.
Words-group analysis:
- "The wicked have laid a snare for me": This phrase portrays an external, active, and hostile force at work. It highlights the reality of opposition, the malicious intent, and the deceptive nature of the dangers faced by the righteous. It speaks of the human-orchestrated trials and temptations designed to undermine faith or cause moral failure.
- "yet I have not strayed from your precepts": This phrase expresses the psalmist's unwavering internal resolve and fidelity to God's truth. It is a powerful declaration of spiritual steadfastness and moral integrity in the face of intense pressure. The "yet" creates a dramatic tension and then resolves it in favor of obedience. It speaks of the triumph of divine commitment over human machinations, implying God's enabling grace through His word.
Psalm 119 110 Bonus section
Psalm 119 repeatedly contrasts the psalmist's love for God's law with the disdain of the wicked. This particular verse showcases how the psalmist's commitment to the Word functions as both a provocation for the wicked and a source of unwavering strength against their attacks. The steadfastness is not purely self-generated; rather, it implies that meditating on and treasuring God's precepts (a theme throughout Ps 119) is the very means by which one gains the spiritual discernment and strength to avoid these snares. The internal devotion described earlier in the psalm (e.g., delighting in God's law) directly translates into external resilience against adversarial plots. The psalmist does not yield to fear or succumb to compromise, testifying to the protective power of adherence to divine wisdom.
Psalm 119 110 Commentary
Psalm 119:110 profoundly illustrates the contrast between the world's hostility and the believer's fidelity to God's word. "The wicked" actively plot the downfall of the righteous, often using cunning "snares" that are hidden or designed to deceive. These are not just physical dangers but temptations to compromise, abandon truth, or fall into sin. Despite such grave and deceptive opposition, the psalmist firmly declares his unwavering loyalty to God's "precepts." This isn't mere passive endurance but an active choice to remain anchored in God's divine instruction. The verse celebrates the power of God's Word not only to guide but also to sustain and protect the faithful, enabling them to navigate dangers without spiritual deviation. It implicitly asserts that God's truth is more powerful than any human scheme or evil design, offering a stable foundation that prevents stumbling even when targets of malicious intent.