CINXE.COM
Psalm 18:5 The cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me.
<!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 18:5 The cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/18-5.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/19_Psa_018_005.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 18:5 - The LORD is My Rock" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me." /><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/18-5.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/18-5.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/18.htm">Chapter 18</a> > Verse 5</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="/ad5.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/18-4.htm" title="Psalm 18:4">◄</a> Psalm 18:5 <a href="/psalms/18-6.htm" title="Psalm 18:6">►</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/18.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/18.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/18.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The grave wrapped its ropes around me; death laid a trap in my path.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/18.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />the cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/18.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/18.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The sorrows of Sheol surrounded me; The snares of death confronted me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />The ropes of Sheol surrounded me; The snares of death confronted me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/18.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The cords of Sheol surrounded me; The snares of death confronted me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />The cords of Sheol surrounded me; The snares of death confronted me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />The cords of Sheol surrounded me; The snares of death confronted me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The cords of Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead) surrounded me; The snares of death confronted me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The ropes of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The ropes of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/18.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />The cords of Sheol were round about me; The snares of death came upon me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Ropes from the world of the dead had coiled around me, and death had set a trap in my path. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/18.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The cords of Sheol were round about me: the snares of death came on me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The ropes of the grave had surrounded me. The clutches of death had confronted me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/18.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The danger of death was around me, and the grave set its trap for me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/18.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The cords of Sheol surrounded me; the snares of death confronted me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/18.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The ropes of Sheol tightened around me, the snares of death trapped me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The cords of Sheol were around me. The snares of death came on me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The sorrows of hell encompassed me: the snares of death seized me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/18.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The cords of Sheol were around me. The snares of death came on me. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Cords of Sheol have surrounded me, "" Snares of death have been before me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Cords of Sheol have surrounded me, Before me have been snares of death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The pains of hades surrounded me: the snares of death anticipated me.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The sorrows of hell encompassed me: and the snares of death prevented me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 17:6>The sorrows of Hell encompassed me, and the snares of death intercepted me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/18.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The cords of Sheol encircled me; the snares of death lay in wait for me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />the cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />The travail of Sheol has taken hold of me: the snares of death preceded me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/18.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />The destructions of Sheol surrounded me and the snares of death were before me.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />The cords of Sheol surrounded me; The snares of Death confronted me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/18.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />The pangs of hell came round about me: the snares of death prevented me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/18-5.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=1526" 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/18.htm">The LORD is My Rock</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">4</span>The cords of death encompassed me; the torrents of chaos overwhelmed me. <span class="reftext">5</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 cords</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/5437.htm" title="5437: sə·ḇā·ḇū·nî (V-Qal-Perf-3cp:: 1cs) -- A primitive root; to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively.">entangled me;</a> <a href="/hebrew/4170.htm" title="4170: mō·wq·šê (N-mpc) -- A bait or lure, a snare. Or moqesh; from yaqosh; a noose: by implication, a hook.">the snares</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/6923.htm" title="6923: qid·də·mū·nî (V-Piel-Perf-3cp:: 1cs) -- To come or be in front, meet. A primitive root; to project, i.e. Precede; hence, to anticipate, hasten, meet.">confronted me.</a> </span><span class="reftext">6</span>In my distress I called upon the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard my voice, and my cry for His help reached His ears.…<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="/jonah/2-5.htm">Jonah 2:5-6</a></span><br />The waters engulfed me to take my life; the watery depths closed around me; the seaweed wrapped around my head. / To the roots of the mountains I descended; the earth beneath me barred me in forever! But You raised my life from the pit, O LORD my God!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/22-6.htm">2 Samuel 22:6</a></span><br />The cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/18-14.htm">Job 18:14</a></span><br />He is torn from the shelter of his tent and is marched off to the king of terrors.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/116-3.htm">Psalm 116:3</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="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="/lamentations/3-53.htm">Lamentations 3:53-55</a></span><br />They dropped me alive into a pit and cast stones upon me. / The waters flowed over my head, and I thought I was going to die. / I called on Your name, O LORD, out of the depths of the Pit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/5-22.htm">Proverbs 5:22</a></span><br />The iniquities of a wicked man entrap him; the cords of his sin entangle him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/36-8.htm">Job 36:8</a></span><br />And if men are bound with chains, caught in cords of affliction,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/9-13.htm">Psalm 9:13</a></span><br />Be merciful to me, O LORD; see how my enemies afflict me! Lift me up from the gates of death,<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="/matthew/12-40.htm">Matthew 12:40</a></span><br />For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.<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="/1_corinthians/15-55.htm">1 Corinthians 15:55</a></span><br />“Where, O Death, is your victory? Where, O Death, is your sting?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/1-9.htm">2 Corinthians 1:9-10</a></span><br />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="/hebrews/2-14.htm">Hebrews 2:14-15</a></span><br />Now since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity, so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil, / and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.</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 hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.</p><p class="hdg">The sorrows, or, cords</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/86-13.htm">Psalm 86:13</a></b></br> For great <i>is</i> thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/88-3.htm">Psalm 88:3-8,15-17</a></b></br> For my soul is full of troubles: and my life draweth nigh unto the grave… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/2-24.htm">Acts 2:24</a></b></br> Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.</p><p class="hdg">snares</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/9-12.htm">Ecclesiastes 9:12</a></b></br> For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so <i>are</i> the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/18-4.htm">Bands</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-6.htm">Coiled</a> <a href="/psalms/18-4.htm">Compassed</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/26-18.htm">Confronted</a> <a href="/psalms/18-4.htm">Cords</a> <a href="/psalms/18-4.htm">Death</a> <a href="/psalms/18-4.htm">Encompassed</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-19.htm">Encountered</a> <a href="/psalms/18-4.htm">Entangled</a> <a href="/psalms/16-10.htm">Grave</a> <a href="/psalms/16-10.htm">Hell</a> <a href="/job/22-10.htm">Nets</a> <a href="/job/41-11.htm">Prevented</a> <a href="/psalms/18-4.htm">Round</a> <a href="/job/30-16.htm">Seized</a> <a href="/psalms/16-10.htm">Sheol</a> <a href="/psalms/11-6.htm">Snares</a> <a href="/psalms/18-4.htm">Sorrows</a> <a href="/psalms/18-4.htm">Surrounded</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/73-3.htm">Bands</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-6.htm">Coiled</a> <a href="/psalms/22-12.htm">Compassed</a> <a href="/psalms/18-18.htm">Confronted</a> <a href="/psalms/21-12.htm">Cords</a> <a href="/psalms/22-15.htm">Death</a> <a href="/psalms/22-12.htm">Encompassed</a> <a href="/psalms/18-18.htm">Encountered</a> <a href="/psalms/116-3.htm">Entangled</a> <a href="/psalms/30-3.htm">Grave</a> <a href="/psalms/55-15.htm">Hell</a> <a href="/psalms/35-8.htm">Nets</a> <a href="/psalms/18-18.htm">Prevented</a> <a href="/psalms/18-11.htm">Round</a> <a href="/psalms/48-6.htm">Seized</a> <a href="/psalms/30-3.htm">Sheol</a> <a href="/psalms/38-12.htm">Snares</a> <a href="/psalms/25-17.htm">Sorrows</a> <a href="/psalms/22-12.htm">Surrounded</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 18</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/18-1.htm">David praises God for his manifold and marvelous blessings</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 /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <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/18.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/18.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>The cords of Sheol entangled me;</b><br>In ancient Hebrew thought, "Sheol" refers to the realm of the dead, a shadowy place where the departed souls reside. The imagery of "cords" suggests being bound or trapped, indicating a sense of inescapable danger or distress. This phrase reflects the psalmist's feeling of being overwhelmed by mortal peril, akin to being ensnared by death itself. The use of "cords" can also symbolize the spiritual and emotional struggles that bind individuals, drawing a parallel to the New Testament's depiction of sin as a binding force (<a href="/romans/6-16.htm">Romans 6:16</a>). The psalmist's experience can be seen as a type of Christ's own descent into death and His victory over it, as referenced in <a href="/acts/2-31.htm">Acts 2:31</a>, where Peter speaks of Christ not being abandoned to Hades.<p><b>the snares of death confronted me.</b><br>"Snares" are traps set for capturing prey, emphasizing the sudden and unexpected nature of the threat. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, death was often personified as an active force, seeking to ensnare the living. This phrase highlights the immediacy and inevitability of death, a common theme throughout the Psalms. The confrontation with death can be seen as a foreshadowing of Christ's own confrontation with death on the cross, where He ultimately triumphed over it (<a href="/1_corinthians/15-55.htm">1 Corinthians 15:55-57</a>). The psalmist's deliverance from these snares prefigures the resurrection, offering hope of victory over death for all believers.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>The author of <a href="/bsb/psalms/18.htm">Psalm 18</a>, David is expressing his gratitude to God for deliverance from his enemies, including King Saul. This psalm is a song of thanksgiving and praise for God's protection and deliverance.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/s/sheol.htm">Sheol</a></b><br>In Hebrew thought, Sheol is the realm of the dead, a place of darkness and separation from the living. It represents the grave or the pit, often associated with despair and hopelessness.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/d/death.htm">Death</a></b><br>Personified in this verse as having snares, death is depicted as an active force seeking to capture and destroy. It represents the ultimate enemy and the finality of life without divine intervention.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_spiritual_warfare.htm">Understanding Spiritual Warfare</a></b><br>The imagery of cords and snares reminds us of the spiritual battles we face. Just as David felt entangled by death, believers today encounter spiritual forces that seek to ensnare and destroy. Recognizing these battles is the first step in seeking God's deliverance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_deliverance_from_despair.htm">God's Deliverance from Despair</a></b><br>David's experience teaches us that no situation is beyond God's reach. Even when we feel trapped by circumstances that seem as final as death, God is able to deliver and restore us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_reality_of_death_and_hope_in_christ.htm">The Reality of Death and Hope in Christ</a></b><br>While death is a reality for all, Christians have hope through Jesus Christ, who conquered death. This verse can remind us of the victory we have in Christ, who frees us from the fear of death and the power of Sheol.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/prayer_in_times_of_distress.htm">Prayer in Times of Distress</a></b><br>Like David, we should turn to God in prayer when faced with overwhelming challenges. Prayer is a powerful tool for seeking God's intervention and experiencing His peace amidst turmoil.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_18.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 18</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_god_hear_my_prayers.htm">Can God hear my prayers?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/did_jonah_die_inside_the_fish.htm">Did Jonah die inside the fish?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/2_chr_6_18__can_a_building_house_god.htm">2 Chronicles 6:18: If the heavens cannot contain God, how can a physical building house His presence, and does this contradict other scriptures affirming God's omnipresence?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_happened_to_ancient_giants.htm">Where is Mount Tabor mentioned in the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/18.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(5) <span class= "bld">Hell.</span>--Heb., <span class= "ital">sheol. </span>(See Note on <a href="/psalms/6-5.htm" title="For in death there is no remembrance of you: in the grave who shall give you thanks?">Psalm 6:5</a>.)<p><span class= "bld">Prevented</span>--<span class= "ital">i.e., </span>suddenly seized upon. The poet seems to feel the cords already tightening on his limbe. He is not dead yet, but like to them who go down to <span class= "ital">sheol. </span>This verse has one verbal difference from Samuel.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 5.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The sorrows of hell compassed me about</span>; literally, <span class="accented">the cords of Sheol</span>, or Hades. Death and Hell are, both of them, personified, and made to join in the chase. The ensnaring nets are drawn nearer and nearer; at last the toils close in, the last cast is made, and the prey is taken. <span class="cmt_word">The snares of death prevented me</span>; or, <span class="accented">came upon me</span> (Revised Version) - "took me by surprise" (Kay). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/18-5.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 cords</span><br /><span class="heb">חֶבְלֵ֣י</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 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">entangled me;</span><br /><span class="heb">סְבָב֑וּנִי</span> <span class="translit">(sə·ḇā·ḇū·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_5437.htm">Strong's 5437: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn about, go around, surround</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the snares</span><br /><span class="heb">מ֣וֹקְשֵׁי</span> <span class="translit">(mō·wq·šê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4170.htm">Strong's 4170: </a> </span><span class="str2">A bait or lure, a snare</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of death</span><br /><span class="heb">מָֽוֶת׃</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">confronted me.</span><br /><span class="heb">קִ֝דְּמ֗וּנִי</span> <span class="translit">(qid·də·mū·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person common plural | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6923.htm">Strong's 6923: </a> </span><span class="str2">To project, precede, to anticipate, hasten, meet</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/18-5.htm">Psalm 18:5 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/18-5.htm">Psalm 18:5 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/18-5.htm">Psalm 18:5 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/18-5.htm">Psalm 18:5 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/18-5.htm">Psalm 18:5 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/18-5.htm">Psalm 18:5 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/18-5.htm">Psalm 18:5 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/18-5.htm">Psalm 18:5 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/18-5.htm">Psalm 18:5 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/18-5.htm">Psalm 18:5 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/18-5.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 18:5 The cords of Sheol were around me (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/18-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 18:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 18:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/18-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 18:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 18:6" /></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>