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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 116:3 The ropes of death entangled me; the anguish of Sheol overcame me; I was confronted by trouble and sorrow.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/116-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/19_Psa_116_003.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 116:3 - The LORD Has Heard My Voice" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The ropes of death entangled me; the anguish of Sheol overcame me; I was confronted by trouble and sorrow." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/psalms/116-3.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/psalms/116-3.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/psalms/">Psalms</a> > <a href="/psalms/116.htm">Chapter 116</a> > Verse 3</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad3.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/psalms/116-2.htm" title="Psalm 116:2">◄</a> Psalm 116:3 <a href="/psalms/116-4.htm" title="Psalm 116:4">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/psalms/116.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/psalms/116.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came over me; I was overcome by distress and sorrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/116.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Death wrapped its ropes around me; the terrors of the grave overtook me. I saw only trouble and sorrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/116.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/116.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The ropes of death entangled me; the anguish of Sheol overcame me; I was confronted by trouble and sorrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/116.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/116.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The pains of death surrounded me, And the pangs of Sheol laid hold of me; I found trouble and sorrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/116.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />The snares of death encompassed me And the terrors of Sheol came upon me; I found distress and sorrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/116.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The cords of death encompassed me And the terrors of Sheol came upon me; I found distress and sorrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/116.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />The cords of death encompassed me, And the terrors of Sheol came upon me; I found distress and sorrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/116.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />The cords of death encompassed me And the distresses of Sheol found me; I found distress and sorrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/116.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The cords <i>and</i> sorrows of death encompassed me, And the terrors of Sheol came upon me; I found distress and sorrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/116.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The ropes of death were wrapped around me, and the torments of Sheol overcame me; I encountered trouble and sorrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/116.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The ropes of death were wrapped around me, and the torments of Sheol overcame me; I encountered trouble and sorrow. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/116.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />The cords of death compassed me, And the pains of Sheol gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/116.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Death attacked from all sides, and I was captured by its painful chains. But when I was really hurting, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/116.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The cords of death compassed me, and the pains of Sheol gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/116.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The ropes of death became tangled around me. The horrors of the grave took hold of me. I experienced pain and agony.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/116.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The danger of death was all around me; the horrors of the grave closed in on me; I was filled with fear and anxiety. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/116.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The ropes of death were wound around me and the anguish of Sheol came upon me; I encountered distress and sorrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/116.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The ropes of death entangled me; the anguish of Sheol overcame me; I was confronted by trouble and sorrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/116.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The ropes of death tightened around me, the snares of Sheol confronted me. I was confronted with trouble and sorrow. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/116.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The cords of death surrounded me, the pains of Sheol got a hold of me. I found trouble and sorrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/116.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The sorrows of death encompassed me, and the pains of hell came upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/116.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The cords of death surrounded me, the pains of Sheol got a hold of me. I found trouble and sorrow. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/116.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Cords of death have surrounded me, "" And straits of Sheol have found me, "" I find distress and sorrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/116.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Compassed me have cords of death, And straits of Sheol have found me, Distress and sorrow I find.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/116.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The pains of death surrounded me, and the distresses of hades found me: shall find straits and affliction.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/116.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The sorrows of death have encompassed me: and the perils of hell have found me. I met with trouble and sorrow: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/116.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 114:3>The sorrows of death have surrounded me, and the perils of Hell have found me. I have found tribulation and sorrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/116.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />I was caught by the cords of death; the snares of Sheol had seized me; I felt agony and dread. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/116.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/116.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />The pangs of death have encompassed me, and the pains of Sheol have found me; I found trouble and sorrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/116.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Because the pains of death surrounded me and the afflictions of Sheol had arrived, I had found misery and affliction.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/116.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />The cords of death compassed me, And the straits of the nether-world got hold upon me; I found trouble and sorrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/116.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />The pangs of death compassed me; the dangers of hell found me: I found affliction and sorrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/116-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=14640" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/116.htm">The LORD Has Heard My Voice</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">2</span>Because He has inclined His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live. <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2256.htm" title="2256: ḥeḇ·lê- (N-mpc) -- A rope, a measuring line, a district, inheritance, a noose, a company, a throe, ruin.">The ropes</a> <a href="/hebrew/4194.htm" title="4194: mā·weṯ (N-ms) -- Death. From muwth; death; concretely, the dead, their place or state; figuratively, pestilence, ruin.">of death</a> <a href="/hebrew/661.htm" title="661: ’ă·p̄ā·p̄ū·nî (V-Qal-Perf-3cp:: 1cs) -- To surround, encompass. A primitive root; to surround.">entangled me;</a> <a href="/hebrew/4712.htm" title="4712: ū·mə·ṣā·rê (Conj-w:: N-mpc) -- Straits, distress. From qebah; something tight, i.e. trouble.">the anguish</a> <a href="/hebrew/7585.htm" title="7585: šə·’ō·wl (N-cs) -- Or shol; from sha'al; Hades or the world of the dead, including its accessories and inmates.">of Sheol</a> <a href="/hebrew/4672.htm" title="4672: mə·ṣā·’ū·nî (V-Qal-Perf-3cp:: 1cs) -- To attain to, find. ">overcame me;</a> <a href="/hebrew/4672.htm" title="4672: ’em·ṣā (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs) -- To attain to, find. ">I was confronted</a> <a href="/hebrew/6869.htm" title="6869: ṣā·rāh (N-fs) -- Tightness, a female rival. Feminine of tsar; tightness; transitively, a female rival.">by trouble</a> <a href="/hebrew/3015.htm" title="3015: wə·yā·ḡō·wn (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Grief, sorrow. From yagah; affliction.">and sorrow.</a> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>Then I called on the name of the LORD: “O LORD, deliver my soul!”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/1-8.htm">2 Corinthians 1:8-10</a></span><br />We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the hardships we encountered in the province of Asia. We were under a burden far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. / Indeed, we felt we were under the sentence of death, in order that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God, who raises the dead. / He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us. In Him we have placed our hope that He will yet again deliver us,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jonah/2-2.htm">Jonah 2:2</a></span><br />saying: “In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered me. From the belly of Sheol I called for help, and You heard my voice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/18-4.htm">Psalm 18:4-5</a></span><br />The cords of death encompassed me; the torrents of chaos overwhelmed me. / The cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/107-18.htm">Psalm 107:18</a></span><br />They loathed all food and drew near to the gates of death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/118-5.htm">Psalm 118:5</a></span><br />In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered and set me free.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/3-5.htm">Lamentations 3:5-6</a></span><br />He has besieged me and surrounded me with bitterness and hardship. / He has made me dwell in darkness like those dead for ages.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/10-21.htm">Job 10:21-22</a></span><br />before I go—never to return—to a land of darkness and gloom, / to a land of utter darkness, of deep shadow and disorder, where even the light is like darkness.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/38-10.htm">Isaiah 38:10</a></span><br />I said, “In the prime of my life I must go through the gates of Sheol and be deprived of the remainder of my years.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/22-5.htm">2 Samuel 22:5-6</a></span><br />For the waves of death engulfed me; the torrents of chaos overwhelmed me. / The cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/26-38.htm">Matthew 26:38</a></span><br />Then He said to them, “My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/2-24.htm">Acts 2:24</a></span><br />But God raised Him from the dead, releasing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep Him in its grip.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/7-24.htm">Romans 7:24</a></span><br />What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/4-8.htm">2 Corinthians 4:8-10</a></span><br />We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; / persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. / We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/1-23.htm">Philippians 1:23</a></span><br />I am torn between the two. I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better indeed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/1-18.htm">Revelation 1:18</a></span><br />the Living One. I was dead, and behold, now I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of Death and of Hades.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell got hold on me: I found trouble and sorrow.</p><p class="hdg">sorrows</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/18-4.htm">Psalm 18:4-6</a></b></br> The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/88-6.htm">Psalm 88:6,7</a></b></br> Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deeps… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jonah/2-2.htm">Jonah 2:2,3</a></b></br> And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, <i>and</i> thou heardest my voice… </p><p class="hdg">gat hold upon me.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/32-3.htm">Psalm 32:3,4</a></b></br> When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/38-6.htm">Psalm 38:6</a></b></br> I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/53-3.htm">Isaiah 53:3,4</a></b></br> He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were <i>our</i> faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/77-16.htm">Anguish</a> <a href="/psalms/107-16.htm">Bands</a> <a href="/psalms/109-3.htm">Compassed</a> <a href="/psalms/21-12.htm">Cords</a> <a href="/psalms/109-31.htm">Death</a> <a href="/psalms/107-28.htm">Distress</a> <a href="/psalms/109-3.htm">Encompassed</a> <a href="/psalms/18-5.htm">Entangled</a> <a href="/psalms/107-4.htm">Find</a> <a href="/psalms/109-17.htm">Found</a> <a href="/psalms/112-4.htm">Full</a> <a href="/psalms/44-3.htm">Gat</a> <a href="/psalms/107-20.htm">Grave</a> <a href="/psalms/101-3.htm">Grip</a> <a href="/psalms/86-13.htm">Hell</a> <a href="/psalms/109-1.htm">Hold</a> <a href="/psalms/104-5.htm">Laid</a> <a href="/psalms/86-13.htm">Nether-World</a> <a href="/psalms/64-5.htm">Nets</a> <a href="/psalms/106-43.htm">Overcome</a> <a href="/psalms/73-4.htm">Pains</a> <a href="/psalms/73-4.htm">Pangs</a> <a href="/psalms/109-19.htm">Round</a> <a href="/psalms/89-48.htm">Sheol</a> <a href="/psalms/64-5.htm">Snares</a> <a href="/psalms/107-39.htm">Sorrow</a> <a href="/psalms/35-14.htm">Sorrows</a> <a href="/job/20-22.htm">Straits</a> <a href="/psalms/107-17.htm">Suffered</a> <a href="/psalms/109-3.htm">Surrounded</a> <a href="/psalms/88-16.htm">Terrors</a> <a href="/psalms/112-8.htm">Trouble</a> <a href="/psalms/115-17.htm">Underworld</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/118-5.htm">Anguish</a> <a href="/psalms/116-16.htm">Bands</a> <a href="/psalms/118-10.htm">Compassed</a> <a href="/psalms/116-16.htm">Cords</a> <a href="/psalms/116-8.htm">Death</a> <a href="/psalms/118-5.htm">Distress</a> <a href="/psalms/118-10.htm">Encompassed</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-4.htm">Entangled</a> <a href="/psalms/119-35.htm">Find</a> <a href="/psalms/119-143.htm">Found</a> <a href="/psalms/116-5.htm">Full</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-8.htm">Gat</a> <a href="/psalms/141-7.htm">Grave</a> <a href="/isaiah/13-8.htm">Grip</a> <a href="/psalms/139-8.htm">Hell</a> <a href="/psalms/119-31.htm">Hold</a> <a href="/psalms/119-4.htm">Laid</a> <a href="/psalms/139-8.htm">Nether-World</a> <a href="/psalms/119-85.htm">Nets</a> <a href="/psalms/119-118.htm">Overcome</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-23.htm">Pains</a> <a href="/isaiah/13-8.htm">Pangs</a> <a href="/psalms/118-10.htm">Round</a> <a href="/psalms/139-8.htm">Sheol</a> <a href="/psalms/140-5.htm">Snares</a> <a href="/psalms/119-28.htm">Sorrow</a> <a href="/psalms/127-2.htm">Sorrows</a> <a href="/psalms/118-5.htm">Straits</a> <a href="/psalms/119-107.htm">Suffered</a> <a href="/psalms/118-10.htm">Surrounded</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-5.htm">Terrors</a> <a href="/psalms/116-4.htm">Trouble</a> <a href="/psalms/139-8.htm">Underworld</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 116</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/116-1.htm">The psalmist professes his love and duty to God for his deliverance</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/116-12.htm">He studies to be thankful</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/116.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/116.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>The ropes of death entangled me;</b><br>This phrase evokes the imagery of being trapped or ensnared, suggesting a situation of inescapable danger or distress. In biblical times, ropes or cords were often used to bind or capture, symbolizing a lack of freedom and impending doom. The psalmist's use of "ropes of death" indicates a profound sense of being overwhelmed by mortal peril. This can be connected to other scriptures such as <a href="/psalms/18-4.htm">Psalm 18:4-5</a>, where similar imagery is used to describe being surrounded by death. Theologically, this can be seen as a type of Christ, who faced the ultimate entanglement of death on the cross, yet overcame it through His resurrection.<p><b>the anguish of Sheol overcame me;</b><br>Sheol in the Hebrew Bible is often understood as the realm of the dead, a place of darkness and separation from the living. The term "anguish" here conveys intense emotional and spiritual distress. In the ancient Near Eastern context, Sheol was not just a physical place but also a state of being cut off from God's presence. This phrase reflects the psalmist's deep despair and fear of death. It can be compared to Jonah's experience in <a href="/jonah/2-2.htm">Jonah 2:2</a>, where he cries out from the depths of Sheol. Theologically, this can be seen as a foreshadowing of Christ's descent into the grave, where He experienced separation from the Father but ultimately triumphed over death.<p><b>I was confronted by trouble and sorrow.</b><br>This phrase highlights the personal and immediate nature of the psalmist's suffering. "Trouble and sorrow" encompass both external afflictions and internal emotional turmoil. In the historical context, such expressions of lament were common in the Psalms, reflecting the human condition and the struggles faced by the faithful. This can be linked to the broader biblical theme of suffering and deliverance, as seen in Job's trials or the lamentations of Jeremiah. In the New Testament, Jesus Himself is described as a "man of sorrows" in <a href="/isaiah/53-3.htm">Isaiah 53:3</a>, identifying with human suffering and providing comfort through His own experiences of trouble and sorrow.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/psalmist.htm">Psalmist</a></b><br>The author of the psalm, traditionally believed to be King David, who often wrote about his personal experiences with distress and deliverance.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/d/death.htm">Death</a></b><br>Personified as having ropes or cords, symbolizing the inescapable grip and power it holds over life.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/sheol.htm">Sheol</a></b><br>In Hebrew thought, the realm of the dead, often depicted as a place of darkness and separation from God.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/trouble_and_sorrow.htm">Trouble and Sorrow</a></b><br>Represents the emotional and spiritual turmoil faced by the psalmist, indicative of life's trials and tribulations.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_the_reality_of_death_and_suffering.htm">Understanding the Reality of Death and Suffering</a></b><br>Recognize that the Bible does not shy away from the reality of death and suffering. It acknowledges the deep emotional and spiritual impact these experiences can have on believers.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_prayer_in_distress.htm">The Power of Prayer in Distress</a></b><br>The psalmist's response to being entangled by death is to cry out to God. This teaches us the importance of turning to God in prayer during our darkest moments.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_deliverance_and_faithfulness.htm">God's Deliverance and Faithfulness</a></b><br>Despite the overwhelming nature of death and Sheol, the psalmist's testimony is one of deliverance. This assures us of God's faithfulness and power to save.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_beyond_the_grave.htm">Hope Beyond the Grave</a></b><br>For Christians, the imagery of Sheol is a reminder of the hope we have in Christ, who conquered death and offers eternal life.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/empathy_and_support_for_others.htm">Empathy and Support for Others</a></b><br>Understanding the depth of trouble and sorrow should move us to empathy and support for those around us who are suffering.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_116.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 116</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_we_verify_psalm_116_3-4's_rescue.htm">Psalm 116:3–4 describes rescue from death—how can we historically or scientifically verify such an event? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_is_the_new_man_in_the_story.htm">What are the torments of Sheol?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_psalm_88_devoid_of_hope.htm">Why does Psalm 88 present unrelenting despair without any expression of hope, seeming to contradict other passages that emphasize God's deliverance (Psalm 88:1-3)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_psalm_89_align_with_david's_end.htm">How does Psalm 89:36-37's promise of an everlasting Davidic monarchy align with the historical end of the Davidic line?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/116.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) <span class= "bld">The pains of hell.</span>--Or, <span class= "ital">oppressions of Sheol, </span>if we retain the text. But a very slight change in a single letter brings the clause into closer correspondence with <a href="/context/psalms/18-5.htm" title="The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.">Psalm 18:5-6</a>, whence it is plainly borrowed, <span class= "ital">the nets of Sheol. </span>We may reproduce the original more exactly by using, as it does, the same verb in the last two clauses of the verse:<p>Nets of Sheol caught me,<p>Trouble and sorrow I catch.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/116.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 3-9.</span> - The psalmist describes his trouble (ver. 3), his prayer for deliverance (ver. 4), and his actual deliverance (vers. 5-9). <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The sorrows of death compassed me</span>; literally, <span class="accented">the cords of death</span> (comp. <a href="/psalms/18-4.htm">Psalm 18:4</a>, where the same expression is used). Death is pictured as seizing his victim and binding him with cords. <span class="cmt_word">And the pains of hell gat hold upon me</span>; or, "the <span class="accented">straits</span> of hell" (comp. <a href="/psalms/118-5.htm">Psalm 118:5</a>; <a href="/lamentations/1-3.htm">Lamentations 1:3</a>). Death and hell (shell) are closely connected together in the prayer of Hezekiah (<a href="/isaiah/38-10.htm">Isaiah 38:10, 18</a>). I found trouble and sorrow; or, "anguish and woe" (comp. <a href="/isaiah/38-12.htm">Isaiah 38:12-17</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/116-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">The ropes</span><br /><span class="heb">חֶבְלֵי־</span> <span class="translit">(ḥeḇ·lê-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2256.htm">Strong's 2256: </a> </span><span class="str2">A rope, a measuring line, a district, inheritance, a noose, a company, a throe, ruin</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of death</span><br /><span class="heb">מָ֗וֶת</span> <span class="translit">(mā·weṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4194.htm">Strong's 4194: </a> </span><span class="str2">Death, the dead, their place, state, pestilence, ruin</span><br /><br /><span class="word">entangled me,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲפָפ֤וּנִי ׀</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·p̄ā·p̄ū·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_661.htm">Strong's 661: </a> </span><span class="str2">To surround, encompass</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and the anguish</span><br /><span class="heb">וּמְצָרֵ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(ū·mə·ṣā·rê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4712.htm">Strong's 4712: </a> </span><span class="str2">Something tight, trouble</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Sheol</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁא֣וֹל</span> <span class="translit">(šə·’ō·wl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7585.htm">Strong's 7585: </a> </span><span class="str2">Underworld (place to which people descend at death)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">overcame me;</span><br /><span class="heb">מְצָא֑וּנִי</span> <span class="translit">(mə·ṣā·’ū·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4672.htm">Strong's 4672: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I was confronted</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶמְצָֽא׃</span> <span class="translit">(’em·ṣā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4672.htm">Strong's 4672: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present</span><br /><br /><span class="word">by trouble</span><br /><span class="heb">צָרָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(ṣā·rāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6869.htm">Strong's 6869: </a> </span><span class="str2">Tightness, a female rival</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and sorrow.</span><br /><span class="heb">וְיָג֣וֹן</span> <span class="translit">(wə·yā·ḡō·wn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3015.htm">Strong's 3015: </a> </span><span class="str2">Grief, sorrow</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/116-3.htm">Psalm 116:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/116-3.htm">Psalm 116:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/116-3.htm">Psalm 116:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/116-3.htm">Psalm 116:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/116-3.htm">Psalm 116:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/116-3.htm">Psalm 116:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/116-3.htm">Psalm 116:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/116-3.htm">Psalm 116:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/116-3.htm">Psalm 116:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/116-3.htm">Psalm 116:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/116-3.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 116:3 The cords of death surrounded me (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/116-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 116:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 116:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/116-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 116:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 116:4" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>