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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 57:6 They spread a net for my feet; my soul was despondent. They dug a pit before me, but they themselves have fallen into it! Selah</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/57-6.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/19_Psa_057_006.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 57:6 - In You My Soul Takes Refuge" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="They spread a net for my feet; my soul was despondent. They dug a pit before me, but they themselves have fallen into it! 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They dug a pit in my path— but they have fallen into it themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/57.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />My enemies have set a trap for me. I am weary from distress. They have dug a deep pit in my path, but they themselves have fallen into it. Interlude<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/57.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />They set a net for my steps; my soul was bowed down. They dug a pit in my way, but they have fallen into it themselves. Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/57.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />They spread a net for my feet; my soul was despondent. They dug a pit before me, but they themselves have fallen into it! Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/57.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen <i>themselves</i>. Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/57.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />They have prepared a net for my steps; My soul is bowed down; They have dug a pit before me; Into the midst of it they <i>themselves</i> have fallen. Selah</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/57.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />They have prepared a net for my steps; My soul is bowed down; They dug a pit before me; They <i>themselves</i> have fallen into the midst of it. Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/57.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />They have prepared a net for my steps; My soul is bowed down; They dug a pit before me; They themselves have fallen into the midst of it. Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/57.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />They have prepared a net for my steps; My soul is bowed down; They dug a pit before me; They <i>themselves</i> have fallen into the midst of it. Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/57.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />They have set a net for my steps; My soul is bowed down; They dug a pit before me; They <i>themselves</i> have fallen into the midst of it. Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/57.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />They set a net for my steps; My very life was bowed down. They dug a pit before me; Into the midst of it they themselves have fallen. Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/57.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They prepared a net for my steps; I was despondent. They dug a pit ahead of me, but they fell into it! Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/57.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They prepared a net for my steps; I was despondent. They dug a pit ahead of me, but they fell into it! Selah <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/57.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />They have prepared a net for my steps; My soul is bowed down: They have digged a pit before me; They are fallen into the midst thereof themselves. [Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/57.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Enemies set traps for my feet and struck me down. They dug a pit in my path, but fell in it themselves. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/57.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />They have prepared a net for my steps; thy soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me; they are fallen into the midst thereof themselves. Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/57.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />[My enemies] spread out a net to catch me. (My soul is bowed down.) They dug a pit to trap me, but then they fell into it. [Selah] <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/57.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />My enemies have spread a net to catch me; I am overcome with distress. They dug a pit in my path, but fell into it themselves. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/57.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />They have set a snare for my feet, which makes me depressed. They dug a pit in front of me, but they are the ones who fell into it! Interlude<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/57.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />They spread a net for my feet; my soul was despondent. They dug a pit before me, but they themselves have fallen into it! Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/57.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />They have prepared a net to trap me; I am discouraged. They have dug a pit for me. They will fall into it! (Selah) <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/57.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />They have prepared a net for my steps. My soul is bowed down. They dig a pit before me. They fall into its midst themselves. Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/57.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst of which they have fallen themselves. Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/57.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They have prepared a net for my steps. My soul is bowed down. They dig a pit before me. They fall into the middle of it themselves. Selah. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/57.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />They have prepared a net for my steps, "" My soul has bowed down, "" They have dug a pit before me, "" They have fallen into its midst. Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/57.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> A net they have prepared for my steps, Bowed down hath my soul, They have digged before me a pit, They have fallen into its midst. Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/57.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />They prepared a net for my steps; my soul was bent down: they dug a pit before me, they fell into the midst of it. Silence.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/57.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />They prepared a snare for my feet; and they bowed down my soul. They dug a pit before my face, and they are fallen into it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/57.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 56:7>They prepared a snare for my feet, and they bowed down my soul. They dug a pit before my face, yet they have fallen into it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/57.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />They have set a trap for my feet; my soul is bowed down; They have dug a pit before me. May they fall into it themselves! <i>Selah</i> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/57.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />They set a net for my steps; my soul was bowed down. They dug a pit in my path, but they have fallen into it themselves. Selah<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/57.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />They have prepared a net for my feet; they have digged a pit for my soul, into the midst of which they themselves have fallen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/57.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />They prepared a net for my feet and they have dug a ditch for my soul and they fell into it.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/57.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />They have prepared a net for my steps, My soul is bowed down; They have digged a pit before me, They are fallen into the midst thereof themselves. Selah <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/57.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />They have prepared snares for my feet, and have bowed down my soul: they have dug a pit before my face, and fallen into it <i>themselves</i>. Pause.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/57-6.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=6760" 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/57.htm">In You My Soul Takes Refuge</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">5</span>Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; may Your glory cover all the earth. <span class="reftext">6</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3559.htm" title="3559: hê·ḵî·nū (V-Hifil-Perf-3cp) -- A primitive root; properly, to be erect; hence to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal, or figurative.">They spread</a> <a href="/hebrew/7568.htm" title="7568: re·šeṯ (N-fs) -- A net. From yarash; a net.">a net</a> <a href="/hebrew/6471.htm" title="6471: lip̄·‘ā·may (Prep-l:: N-fpc:: 1cs) -- A beat, foot, anvil, occurrence. Or pa;amah; from pa'am; a stroke, literally or figuratively.">for my feet;</a> <a href="/hebrew/5315.htm" title="5315: nap̄·šî (N-fsc:: 1cs) -- From naphash; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. Animal of vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense.">my soul</a> <a href="/hebrew/3721.htm" title="3721: kā·p̄ap̄ (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To bend, bend down, be bent or bowed. A primitive root; to curve.">was despondent.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3738.htm" title="3738: kā·rū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To dig, to plot, to bore, open. A primitive root; properly, to dig; figuratively, to plot; generally, to bore or open.">They dug</a> <a href="/hebrew/7882.htm" title="7882: šî·ḥāh (N-fs) -- A pit. For shuwchah; a pit-fall.">a pit</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: lə·p̄ā·nay (Prep-l:: N-mpc:: 1cs) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">before me,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5307.htm" title="5307: nā·p̄ə·lū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To fall, lie. A primitive root; to fall, in a great variety of applications.">but they themselves have fallen</a> <a href="/hebrew/8432.htm" title="8432: ḇə·ṯō·w·ḵāh (Prep-b:: N-msc:: 3fs) -- Midst. From an unused root meaning to sever; a bisection, i.e. the centre.">into it!</a> <a href="/hebrew/5542.htm" title="5542: se·lāh (Interjection) -- To lift up, exalt. From calah; suspension, i.e. Pause.">Selah</a> </span><span class="reftext">7</span>My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast. I will sing and make music.…<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="/psalms/7-15.htm">Psalm 7:15-16</a></span><br />He has dug a hole and hollowed it out; he has fallen into a pit of his own making. / His trouble recoils on himself, and his violence falls on his own head.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/9-15.htm">Psalm 9:15-16</a></span><br />The nations have fallen into a pit of their making; their feet are caught in the net they have hidden. / The LORD is known by the justice He brings; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands. Higgaion Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/26-27.htm">Proverbs 26:27</a></span><br />He who digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-8.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:8</a></span><br />He who digs a pit may fall into it, and he who breaches a wall may be bitten by a snake.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/35-7.htm">Psalm 35:7-8</a></span><br />For without cause they laid their net for me; without reason they dug a pit for my soul. / May ruin befall them by surprise; may the net they hid ensnare them; may they fall into the hazard they created.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/141-10.htm">Psalm 141:10</a></span><br />Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by in safety.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/28-10.htm">Proverbs 28:10</a></span><br />He who leads the upright along the path of evil will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will inherit what is good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/18-20.htm">Jeremiah 18:20-23</a></span><br />Should good be repaid with evil? Yet they have dug a pit for me. Remember how I stood before You to speak good on their behalf, to turn Your wrath from them. / Therefore, hand their children over to famine; pour out the power of the sword upon them. Let their wives become childless and widowed; let their husbands be slain by disease, their young men struck down by the sword in battle. / Let a cry be heard from their houses when You suddenly bring raiders against them, for they have dug a pit to capture me and have hidden snares for my feet. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/esther/7-10.htm">Esther 7:10</a></span><br />So they hanged Haman on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the fury of the king subsided.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/6-24.htm">Daniel 6:24</a></span><br />At the command of the king, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought and thrown into the den of lions—they and their children and wives. And before they had reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-2.htm">Matthew 7:2</a></span><br />For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/26-52.htm">Matthew 26:52</a></span><br />“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him. “For all who draw the sword will die by the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/6-37.htm">Luke 6:37-38</a></span><br />Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. / Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/6-7.htm">Galatians 6:7</a></span><br />Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/2-1.htm">Romans 2:1-3</a></span><br />You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on another. For on whatever grounds you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. / And we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. / So when you, O man, pass judgment on others, yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment?</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have dig a pit before me, into the middle whereof they are fallen themselves. Selah.</p><p class="hdg">a net</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/7-15.htm">Psalm 7:15,16</a></b></br> He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch <i>which</i> he made… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/9-15.htm">Psalm 9:15,16</a></b></br> The heathen are sunk down in the pit <i>that</i> they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/35-7.htm">Psalm 35:7,8</a></b></br> For without cause have they hid for me their net <i>in</i> a pit, <i>which</i> without cause they have digged for my soul… </p><p class="hdg">my soul</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/42-6.htm">Psalm 42:6</a></b></br> O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/142-3.htm">Psalm 142:3</a></b></br> When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/143-4.htm">Psalm 143:4</a></b></br> Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/44-16.htm">Bent</a> <a href="/psalms/44-25.htm">Bowed</a> <a href="/job/39-21.htm">Dig</a> <a href="/psalms/35-7.htm">Digged</a> <a href="/psalms/55-17.htm">Distress</a> <a href="/psalms/35-7.htm">Dug</a> <a href="/psalms/55-22.htm">Fall</a> <a href="/psalms/55-4.htm">Fallen</a> <a href="/psalms/56-13.htm">Feet</a> <a href="/psalms/56-2.htm">Great</a> <a href="/psalms/10-9.htm">Hole</a> <a href="/psalms/57-4.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/psalms/35-8.htm">Net</a> <a href="/psalms/44-18.htm">Path</a> <a href="/psalms/55-23.htm">Pit</a> <a href="/psalms/40-6.htm">Prepared</a> <a href="/psalms/56-2.htm">Ready</a> <a href="/psalms/57-3.htm">Selah</a> <a href="/psalms/57-4.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/psalms/44-20.htm">Spread</a> <a href="/psalms/56-6.htm">Steps</a> <a href="/psalms/56-6.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/psalms/55-11.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/psalms/50-23.htm">Way</a> <a href="/psalms/46-4.htm">Whereof</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/69-23.htm">Bent</a> <a href="/psalms/107-12.htm">Bowed</a> <a href="/psalms/119-85.htm">Dig</a> <a href="/psalms/94-13.htm">Digged</a> <a href="/psalms/59-16.htm">Distress</a> <a href="/psalms/94-13.htm">Dug</a> <a href="/psalms/63-10.htm">Fall</a> <a href="/psalms/68-14.htm">Fallen</a> <a href="/psalms/58-10.htm">Feet</a> <a href="/psalms/57-10.htm">Great</a> <a href="/psalms/94-13.htm">Hole</a> <a href="/psalms/68-25.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/psalms/66-11.htm">Net</a> <a href="/psalms/77-19.htm">Path</a> <a href="/psalms/69-15.htm">Pit</a> <a href="/psalms/57-7.htm">Prepared</a> <a href="/psalms/59-4.htm">Ready</a> <a href="/psalms/59-5.htm">Selah</a> <a href="/psalms/57-8.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/psalms/77-2.htm">Spread</a> <a href="/psalms/58-10.htm">Steps</a> <a href="/psalms/58-7.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/psalms/60-2.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/psalms/58-3.htm">Way</a> <a href="/psalms/119-39.htm">Whereof</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 57</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/57-1.htm">David in prayer fleeing unto God, complains of his dangerous case</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/57-7.htm">He encourages himself to praise God</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/57.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/57.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>They spread a net for my feet;</b><br>This phrase reflects a common metaphor in ancient Near Eastern literature, where enemies are depicted as hunters setting traps for their prey. The imagery of a net suggests a deliberate and cunning attempt to ensnare the psalmist. In biblical context, this can be seen as a representation of the schemes and plots of adversaries against the righteous. The net is often used in Scripture to symbolize the deceitful plans of the wicked (e.g., <a href="/psalms/140-5.htm">Psalm 140:5</a>). This imagery is also reminiscent of the spiritual warfare described in <a href="/ephesians/6-11.htm">Ephesians 6:11</a>, where believers are warned to stand against the schemes of the devil.<p><b>my soul was despondent.</b><br>The psalmist's expression of despondency indicates a deep emotional and spiritual struggle. This reflects the human experience of feeling overwhelmed by adversity and opposition. In the historical context, David, the attributed author of this psalm, often faced life-threatening situations, such as when he fled from Saul. The despondency here can be likened to the "valley of the shadow of death" mentioned in <a href="/psalms/23-4.htm">Psalm 23:4</a>, where the psalmist relies on God's presence for comfort. This phrase also connects to the New Testament, where Jesus experienced deep sorrow in the Garden of Gethsemane (<a href="/matthew/26-38.htm">Matthew 26:38</a>), highlighting the shared human experience of distress.<p><b>They dug a pit before me,</b><br>The act of digging a pit is another metaphor for the malicious intentions of the psalmist's enemies. In ancient times, pits were used as traps for animals or as prisons for captives. This imagery suggests premeditated harm and echoes other biblical passages where the wicked are described as setting traps for the righteous (e.g., <a href="/psalms/7-15.htm">Psalm 7:15</a>). The pit can also symbolize the grave or Sheol, representing the ultimate threat of death. This phrase underscores the persistent danger faced by the psalmist, akin to the threats faced by Jesus during His earthly ministry.<p><b>but they themselves have fallen into it!</b><br>This statement reveals a reversal of fortune, a common theme in biblical literature where the plans of the wicked backfire. It reflects the justice of God, who turns the schemes of the wicked against them, as seen in <a href="/proverbs/26-27.htm">Proverbs 26:27</a>. This divine retribution is a recurring theme in the Psalms, where the righteous are vindicated by God's intervention. Theologically, this can be seen as a foreshadowing of Christ's victory over sin and death, where the ultimate trap set by Satan—crucifixion—becomes the means of salvation for humanity.<p><b>Selah</b><br>The term "Selah" is often interpreted as a pause for reflection or a musical interlude. Its exact meaning is uncertain, but it serves as an invitation for the reader or listener to contemplate the preceding verses. In this context, it encourages reflection on the faithfulness of God in delivering the righteous from the schemes of the wicked. This pause allows for meditation on the themes of divine justice and protection, reinforcing the assurance that God is in control, even amidst adversity.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>The author of this psalm, David is expressing his trust in God amidst persecution. This psalm is traditionally linked to the time when David fled from Saul and hid in a cave.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/e/enemies.htm">Enemies</a></b><br>The adversaries of David who are plotting against him, symbolized by the spreading of a net and digging of a pit.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/c/cave_of_adullam.htm">Cave of Adullam</a></b><br>While not mentioned directly in this verse, the context of the psalm is often associated with David's time hiding in the Cave of Adullam, a place of refuge and reflection.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_justice.htm">Divine Justice</a></b><br>Trust in God's justice, knowing that He sees the schemes of the wicked and will ultimately bring about justice.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_adversity.htm">Faith in Adversity</a></b><br>Like David, we can find solace in God during times of persecution or when others plot against us. Our response should be one of faith and patience.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_pitfall_of_malice.htm">The Pitfall of Malice</a></b><br>Those who plot evil against others often fall into their own traps. This serves as a warning against harboring malice or deceit.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/selah--pause_and_reflect.htm">Selah - Pause and Reflect</a></b><br>The use of "Selah" invites us to pause and reflect on God's faithfulness and the assurance of His protection.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_57.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 57</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/will_you_seek_me_and_live.htm">What defines a steadfast heart?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_'the_pit'_in_psalm_143_7_grounded_historically.htm">Psalm 143:7 warns of descending into 'the pit'; does this concept have any scientific or historical grounding beyond the Hebrew worldview?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_the_psalmist_ask_'how_long'.htm">Psalm 6:3 - If God is all-knowing, why is the Psalmist left in anxious uncertainty, asking 'How long?'</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_being_alone_with_god_mean.htm">What does being alone with God mean?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/57.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(6) <span class= "bld">A net.</span>--For this image, so common in Hebrew hymns, see <a href="/psalms/9-15.htm" title="The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken.">Psalm 9:15</a>, &c, and for that of the <span class= "ital">pit, </span><a href="/psalms/7-15.htm" title="He made a pit, and dig it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made.">Psalm 7:15</a>, &c<p><span class= "bld">My soul is bowed down.</span>--The verb so rendered is everywhere else transitive. So LXX. and Vulg. here, "And have pressed down my soul." Despite the grammar, Ewald alters "my soul" into "their soul." But no conjecture of the kind restores the parallelism, which is here hopelessly lost. We expect,<p>They have prepared a net for my steps;<p>They are caught in it themselves.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/57.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 6-11.</span> - The strophe of "triumphant confidence" now begins, but with an echo from the strophe of complaint. The enemy is still at work, still plotting against the psalmist, still seeking to do him a mischief; but the efforts made are in vain. They only bring the enemy himself into trouble (ver. 6), and cause the psalmist to pour forth a song of joy (vers. 7-11). <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 6.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">They have prepared a net for my steps</span> (comp. <a href="/psalms/9-15.htm">Psalm 9:15</a>; <a href="/psalms/10-10.htm">Psalm 10:10</a>; <a href="/psalms/25-15.htm">Psalm 25:15</a>; <a href="/psalms/31-4.htm">Psalm 31:4</a>; <a href="/psalms/35-7.htm">Psalm 35:7</a>). These metaphors from the chase are peculiarly appropriate at the time when Saul was "hunting David upon the mountains" (<a href="/1_samuel/26-20.htm">1 Samuel 26:20</a>). <span class="cmt_word">My soul is bowed down;</span> rather, <span class="accented">they have bowed down my soul</span>; literally, <span class="accented">he has bowed down</span>; but the alternate use of the singular and the plural, without any real change of subject, is very common. <span class="cmt_word">They have digged a pit before me </span> (comp. <a href="/psalms/7-15.htm">Psalm 7:15</a>; <a href="/psalms/119-85.htm">Psalm 119:85</a>). <span class="cmt_word">Into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves.</span> Here is the first note of triumph - a very familiar note (<a href="/psalms/7-15.htm">Psalm 7:15</a>; <a href="/psalms/9-15.htm">Psalm 9:15</a>; <a href="/psalms/39-8.htm">Psalm 39:8</a>; <a href="/psalms/141-10.htm">Psalm 141:10</a>), but one always sounded with marked satisfaction. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/57-6.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">They spread</span><br /><span class="heb">הֵכִ֣ינוּ</span> <span class="translit">(hê·ḵî·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3559.htm">Strong's 3559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be erect</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a net</span><br /><span class="heb">רֶ֤שֶׁת ׀</span> <span class="translit">(re·šeṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7568.htm">Strong's 7568: </a> </span><span class="str2">A net</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for my feet;</span><br /><span class="heb">לִפְעָמַי֮</span> <span class="translit">(lip̄·‘ā·may)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - feminine plural construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6471.htm">Strong's 6471: </a> </span><span class="str2">A beat, foot, anvil, occurrence</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my soul</span><br /><span class="heb">נַ֫פְשִׁ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(nap̄·šî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5315.htm">Strong's 5315: </a> </span><span class="str2">A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion </span><br /><br /><span class="word">was despondent.</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּפַ֪ף</span> <span class="translit">(kā·p̄ap̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3721.htm">Strong's 3721: </a> </span><span class="str2">To bend, bend down, be bent or bowed</span><br /><br /><span class="word">They dug</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּר֣וּ</span> <span class="translit">(kā·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3738.htm">Strong's 3738: </a> </span><span class="str2">To dig, to plot, to bore, open</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a pit</span><br /><span class="heb">שִׁיחָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(šî·ḥāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7882.htm">Strong's 7882: </a> </span><span class="str2">A pit-fall</span><br /><br /><span class="word">before me,</span><br /><span class="heb">לְפָנַ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(lə·p̄ā·nay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> </span><span class="str2">The face</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but they themselves have fallen</span><br /><span class="heb">נָפְל֖וּ</span> <span class="translit">(nā·p̄ə·lū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5307.htm">Strong's 5307: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall, lie</span><br /><br /><span class="word">into it!</span><br /><span class="heb">בְתוֹכָ֣הּ</span> <span class="translit">(ḇə·ṯō·w·ḵāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8432.htm">Strong's 8432: </a> </span><span class="str2">A bisection, the centre</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Selah</span><br /><span class="heb">סֶֽלָה׃</span> <span class="translit">(se·lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5542.htm">Strong's 5542: </a> </span><span class="str2">Suspension, pause</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/57-6.htm">Psalm 57:6 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/57-6.htm">Psalm 57:6 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/57-6.htm">Psalm 57:6 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/57-6.htm">Psalm 57:6 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/57-6.htm">Psalm 57:6 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/57-6.htm">Psalm 57:6 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/57-6.htm">Psalm 57:6 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/57-6.htm">Psalm 57:6 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/57-6.htm">Psalm 57:6 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/57-6.htm">Psalm 57:6 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/57-6.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 57:6 They have prepared a net for my (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/57-5.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 57:5"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 57:5" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/57-7.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 57:7"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 57:7" /></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>