Psalm 141 10

Psalm 141:10 kjv

Let the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst that I withal escape.

Psalm 141:10 nkjv

Let the wicked fall into their own nets, While I escape safely.

Psalm 141:10 niv

Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by in safety.

Psalm 141:10 esv

Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by safely.

Psalm 141:10 nlt

Let the wicked fall into their own nets,
but let me escape.

Psalm 141 verses

Psalm 141 10 Meaning

Psalm 141:10 is a heartfelt prayer and a declaration of faith. It expresses the psalmist's fervent desire and confident expectation that the wicked, who plot evil and set traps for the righteous, will instead fall victim to their own destructive devices. Simultaneously, it articulates the psalmist's plea and conviction that he, by God's grace, will safely evade all harm and pass through the danger unhindered. It is a petition for divine justice and a manifestation of trust in God's protective power and faithfulness.

Psalm 141 10 Context

Psalm 141 is a prayer of David, a psalm of personal lament and supplication to God during a time of intense peril and temptation. It appears to be composed when David was surrounded by enemies who were plotting his downfall and tempting him to engage in evil or sinful acts. The psalm opens with an urgent cry for God to hear and help quickly (Ps 141:1). David prays for self-control, particularly over his speech (Ps 141:3), and for his heart to remain pure, not inclining toward wickedness or participation in evil deeds (Ps 141:4). He also expresses a desire for correction from the righteous rather than being flattered by the wicked (Ps 141:5). The preceding verses, 141:8-9, solidify David's unwavering gaze upon the Lord and his earnest petition to be kept from the "snare that they have laid for me and from the traps of evildoers." Thus, verse 141:10 acts as the climactic conclusion to his plea concerning these enemies, expressing a confident hope that the divine reversal of fortune will be enacted, leading to his deliverance. Historically, David frequently faced such treacherous plots, whether from King Saul, rebellious Absalom, or foreign adversaries, making such prayers a recurring theme in his life amidst the political and spiritual dangers of his kingship.

Psalm 141 10 Word analysis

• Let the wicked: (Hebrew: יִפְּל֥וּ רְשָׁעִ֖ים – yippelu resha'im)

  • resha'im (רְשָׁעִים): The plural noun for "wicked ones." In biblical terms, "rasha" refers not merely to one who commits sins, but specifically to those who are fundamentally opposed to God, rebellious against His law, and actively unjust, hostile, or oppressive toward the righteous. It carries a strong connotation of moral culpability and deserved judgment.

• fall: (Hebrew: יִפְּל֥וּ – yippelu)

  • This is the imperfect plural form of the verb "to fall." It can imply not just a random stumble but an inevitable collapse, a being brought down, or a state of being trapped or overcome. Here, it suggests being ensnared or ruined.

• into their own nets: (Hebrew: בְּמַכְמֹרוֹתֵיהֶ֖ם – b'makhmoroteyhem)

  • b': Preposition "into" or "in."
  • makhmorot (מַכְמֹרוֹת): Plural of "makhmorah," meaning a "hunting net" or "fishing net," often set as a trap. This imagery powerfully conveys a cunning, prepared ambush.
  • eyhem: The suffix "their own." This possessive emphasizes a powerful concept of poetic justice: the very instruments or schemes prepared by the wicked for others become the means of their own undoing. This serves as a polemic against human cunning that attempts to subvert divine justice. It highlights God's sovereign control where human evil is made to self-destruct.

• while I escape safely: (Hebrew: אֲנִ֖י עַד־אֶעֱבֹר־סָ֑לַח – ani 'ad-e'evor-salakh)

  • ani (אֲנִ֖י): The emphatic personal pronoun "I," drawing a clear contrast between the fate of the wicked and the psalmist's destiny.
  • ad-e'evor (עַד־אֶעֱבֹר): This phrase means "until I pass over" or "until I cross." It implies moving beyond the reach of danger, passing through a perilous situation unscathed.
  • salakh (סָלַח): This word's precise meaning here is debated among scholars. While commonly meaning "to forgive" or "pardon," in this context, many interpret it as indicating completion or security. Translations reflect interpretations such as "safely," "freely," "altogether," or "through to the end." The general consensus leans towards a sense of complete and unhindered passage out of danger, ensuring a secure and absolute escape. This implies the psalmist will entirely clear the traps and be beyond the threat.

Word Group Analysis:

• "Let the wicked fall into their own nets": This is a direct petition for divine reversal of fortunes. It embodies the concept of "lex talionis" (law of retaliation) applied by God – the punishment fits the crime, specifically that the evil plotter becomes the victim of his own plot. It showcases God's justice operating not just to prevent evil from harming the righteous but also to cause the evil to backfire on the perpetrators. This theme is prevalent throughout wisdom literature and historical accounts in the Bible.
• "while I escape safely": This contrasting clause highlights the psalmist's hope for complete deliverance. It's a statement of trust in God's protective hand, anticipating a successful and unimpeded passage through danger. The safety is not merely survival, but a secure crossing over, beyond the realm of the snare, demonstrating God's thorough deliverance. It signifies the assured outcome for the one who trusts in the Lord, regardless of the wickedness surrounding them.

Psalm 141 10 Bonus section

• Divine Irony and Poetic Justice: The verse profoundly illustrates the biblical theme of divine irony, where the wicked's elaborate plans for harm are ironically turned into instruments of their own destruction. This showcases God's active involvement in maintaining justice in the world.
• Active Prayer vs. Vengeance: The psalmist does not state a plan for personal vengeance but rather offers a plea for divine action. This models a reliance on God's perfect justice rather than taking matters into one's own hands, aligning with biblical admonitions against personal retaliation (e.g., Rom 12:19).
• Assurance for the Righteous: Beyond a mere hope, the psalmist's plea is also an affirmation of faith that the righteous will indeed pass through trials unharmed, not by their own strength, but by God's deliverance.

Psalm 141 10 Commentary

Psalm 141:10 powerfully expresses the confidence of a righteous individual seeking divine justice amidst persecution. It is a prayer born out of the recognition that God is ultimately sovereign over human machinations. The verse encapsulates a universal biblical principle: that those who maliciously plot against others often become ensnared by their own devices. This is a testament to God's retributive justice, where the wicked's cunning and deceit ultimately boomerang upon themselves, serving as a form of natural and divine consequence. Conversely, the psalmist's declaration, "while I escape safely," articulates unwavering trust in God's specific and thorough deliverance. It reflects the truth that the Lord protects His own, guiding them through or out of every trap set by their adversaries, ensuring their complete security. This psalm is a timeless encouragement to trust God for vindication and deliverance, even when surrounded by deceit and danger, knowing that the outcome is secured by His faithful hand.