Psalms 140:5

The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the wayside; they have set gins for me. Selah.

Psalms 140:5 (KJV)

Context

Psalm 140 is a lament of King David, who pleads with God for deliverance from violent and cunning enemies. In verse 5, David names the proud as his attackers. These are arrogant people who despise God’s justice and assume their schemes will go unnoticed. Instead of facing him openly, they work in secret, plotting harm while protecting themselves. Their pride makes them bold, yet their methods remain hidden.

Meaning

The verse piles up hunting terms: a “snare,” “cords,” a “net,” and “gins.” Each word pictures a different way to capture prey, showing how deliberate and calculated the enemy’s plans are. The traps are hidden, so the believer cannot see them in advance. They are spread “by the wayside,” meaning along the path where the righteous walk. The enemy studies the believer’s journey and sets obstacles exactly where progress is expected. Like a fowler laying a snare for a bird, the proud act with artful cunning.

The word “Selah” closes the verse as a call to pause. It invites the reader to stop and think carefully about the danger described and about the proper response to it. The pause is not meant to create fear, but to turn the heart toward God. It also allows a calm assessment of the situation, recognizing both the threat and the Lord’s presence.

Biblical connections

In the following verses, David shows the right response to such hidden threats. He declares that the LORD is his God and asks Him to hear his cry (Psalm 140:6-7). This pattern of acknowledging the danger and then immediately appealing to God is the heart of the psalm. The believer does not pretend the traps do not exist, but also does not face them alone. The psalm does not promise instant escape; instead, it models honest lament and dependent prayer.

Application

Believers today face similar hidden schemes. Opposition may come through deceit, false accusations, or unexpected setbacks that feel like traps along the path of obedience. Because these snares are concealed, human wisdom alone is not enough. The verse urges dependence on divine guidance, asking the Lord to light the way and keep the feet steady. We can also take comfort that the proud are not as secure as they think, for God sees their plots.

Reflection

God sees every hidden snare, even when we do not. The proud may plot in secret, but their plans are never hidden from Him. This truth allows the believer to keep walking with faith, trusting that the Lord will guard each step. The same God who heard David’s cry hears ours, and He is faithful to deliver those who call on Him.