Psalm 141 9

Psalm 141:9 kjv

Keep me from the snares which they have laid for me, and the gins of the workers of iniquity.

Psalm 141:9 nkjv

Keep me from the snares they have laid for me, And from the traps of the workers of iniquity.

Psalm 141:9 niv

Keep me safe from the traps set by evildoers, from the snares they have laid for me.

Psalm 141:9 esv

Keep me from the trap that they have laid for me and from the snares of evildoers!

Psalm 141:9 nlt

Keep me from the traps they have set for me,
from the snares of those who do wrong.

Psalm 141 verses

Psalm 141 9 Meaning

Psalm 141:9 is a fervent prayer to the Almighty for divine protection from the hidden and deliberate schemes of the wicked. It expresses the psalmist's urgent desire for God to intervene and shield him from the unseen perils, deceptive plots, and cunning entanglements orchestrated by those who actively practice wickedness and seek his downfall. This verse underscores a deep reliance on God's omniscient sight and sovereign power to guard against both direct attacks and insidious temptations designed to cause spiritual or physical ruin.

Psalm 141 9 Context

Psalm 141 is an evening prayer of David, cried out in a time of distress and intense pressure. He calls upon the Lord, urging Him to hear his voice, comparing his prayer to incense and the lifting of his hands to an evening sacrifice (v. 1-2). Throughout the psalm, David expresses a profound desire for spiritual integrity amidst hostile surroundings. He prays that God would "set a guard over my mouth" and "keep watch over the door of my lips" (v. 3), indicating his concern for controlling his speech. He further asks God to keep his heart from "evil thing" and from joining "men who work iniquity" (v. 4). This context reveals a conscious spiritual struggle to remain undefiled by the wicked practices prevalent around him. Verse 9 then articulates a direct plea for protection from the physical and spiritual traps laid by these same "evildoers," connecting his personal conduct (v. 3-4) to external dangers, culminating in a plea for divine intervention to turn the tables on his adversaries (v. 10). The psalm illustrates a believer's deep reliance on God for both inward purity and outward protection when surrounded by ungodly influences and direct threats.

Psalm 141 9 Word analysis

• Keep me (שָׁמְרֵ֤נִי - shomreni): From the Hebrew verb שָׁמַר (shamar), which conveys the idea of guarding, watching over, preserving, or keeping. It implies diligent and protective oversight. Here, it is an imperative, an urgent command-prayer for God's active and comprehensive protection. It highlights the psalmist's vulnerability and his absolute dependence on God as the ultimate guardian, rather than his own strength or cunning. This active divine preservation encompasses all aspects of life – spiritual, moral, and physical.
• from the snares (מִפַּ֥ח - mippach): The noun פַּח (pach) refers to a fowler's trap, specifically a snare or net, often hidden or skillfully concealed. This word signifies a deceptive and hidden danger, a subtle device designed to entrap and ruin unawares. It suggests cunning and premeditation on the part of the wicked. It's not an open battle but an ambush, aiming to catch the unwary or the innocent by surprise.
• which they have laid for me (יָֽקְשׁוּ־לִ֑י - yaqshu-li): From the verb יָקַשׁ (yaqash), meaning "to lay a snare, ensnare, to lure." This verb emphasizes the deliberate and intentional nature of the wicked's actions. It speaks of calculated malice, where the adversaries actively contrive methods and situations to trap the psalmist. The phrase personalizes the threat, making it clear that these snares are directed specifically at him.
• and from the traps (וּמוּקְשׁ֖וֹת - u-mokeshot): The noun מוֹקֵשׁ (mokesh) also means a trap or snare, but can carry the additional nuance of a "stumbling block," "lure," or "bait." It broadens the scope of the danger to include anything that causes someone to stumble, fall, or be enticed into ruin. The use of both pach and mokesh in parallel serves as an intensifier, emphasizing the comprehensive and varied nature of the dangers presented by the wicked. It could signify different kinds of traps or reinforce the absolute certainty and number of the threats.
• of evildoers (פֹּ֥עֲלֵי אָֽוֶן׃ - po'alei aven): This is a compound phrase. פֹּעֲלֵי (po'alei) comes from the verb פָּעַל (pa'al), "to do, work, effect." It emphasizes that these individuals are active doers or workers. אָֽוֶן (aven) refers to wickedness, iniquity, moral evil, ungodliness, or mischief. It signifies not just sinful thoughts but acts of oppression, injustice, or rebellion against God's law. Together, "workers of iniquity" describes those whose lives and actions are defined by deliberate unrighteousness, actively engaging in malevolent deeds, and whose very purpose is to inflict harm or promote evil. This highlights the source of the snares as morally corrupt individuals who intentionally oppose God and His people.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Keep me from the snares... and from the traps": This parallelism vividly illustrates the dual and pervasive nature of the threats. The plea for divine keeping is crucial precisely because the threats are hidden (snares) and pervasive (traps/stumbling blocks), designed to ensnare or trip. It reflects an awareness that only God can detect and dismantle such cunningly concealed dangers.
• "snares...traps of evildoers": This connection identifies the malevolent intent behind the danger. The snares and traps are not random misfortunes but deliberate implements set by those whose very nature is characterized by wickedness and hostility towards righteousness. It paints a picture of spiritual warfare, where human agents, motivated by iniquity, seek to ensnare the righteous.

Psalm 141 9 Bonus section

The nature of the "snares" and "traps" in this verse can extend beyond literal physical dangers. Spiritually, these can represent temptations, false teachings, corrupting influences, moral compromise, or worldly allurements that are deceptively presented. Evildoers, often personified by the "fowler" in biblical imagery, aim to spiritually disable, shipwreck faith, or pull the righteous into their own unrighteous ways. This prayer then becomes a plea for God to illuminate and expose these hidden spiritual perils, preventing the believer from falling into spiritual slavery or apostasy. The power of this verse lies in its direct appeal to God's active, personal involvement in the life of the believer, safeguarding them from both the outward machinations and the inward susceptibility to unrighteousness, allowing them to continue in a path of integrity.

Psalm 141 9 Commentary

Psalm 141:9 is a profoundly insightful prayer that highlights the nature of spiritual warfare and the essential role of God's protection. It is a confession of human vulnerability and a testament to divine omnipotence. The psalmist understands that his adversaries are not merely opponents but "evildoers" whose actions are inherently wicked, aimed at destruction, not just conquest. These wicked individuals operate covertly, laying "snares" (concealed traps) and "traps" (broader stumbling blocks or lures), indicating their use of deception and guile to achieve their malicious aims. This is not about facing an enemy in open combat but being vigilant against insidious attempts to undermine faith, morals, or safety.

The emphasis on God saying "Keep me" (shamar) reveals the core theological principle: true security and preservation come solely from the Almighty. This keeping is comprehensive, extending beyond physical safety to guard against moral compromise and spiritual pitfalls. The psalmist implicitly acknowledges that without divine intervention, he would inevitably fall prey to these schemes. The very nature of a "snare" or "trap" is that it is often unseen or alluring, designed to lead to unforeseen ruin. Therefore, the prayer isn't merely for physical escape, but for discernment to perceive the hidden dangers and for divine strength to withstand the temptations and pressures emanating from those whose work is iniquity. This verse encourages believers to pray specifically against the deceptive tactics of evil, recognizing that behind human agents, there often lies spiritual wickedness that only God can counter and disarm.