The wicked have laid a snare for me, but I do not stray from your precepts.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Psalmist isn't just saying he wasn't tempted to sin; he's declaring he didn't even stray in his thinking or intention. Even when wicked people set traps, his inner resolve to follow God's commands remained unbroken, demonstrating a profound commitment beyond mere outward action.
The wicked have laid a snare for me, but I do not stray from your precepts.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The psalmist is feeling the intense pressure of enemies who are actively trying to trap him into sin and thus destroy him. Despite these constant dangers, which have even put his life at risk, he asserts his determination to remain faithful to God's commands, recognizing that these divine precepts are his ultimate guide and inheritance.
Ever feel like people are trying to trip you up or lead you astray? The psalmist faced this too, and it was serious business.
The verse describes the 'wicked' laying a 'snare.' Think of this like a hunter setting a trap for an animal, or an angler using bait. These weren't just casual bad intentions; they were active plots and schemes designed to catch the psalmist, to make him sin and fall into trouble. The commentaries highlight that this persecution was often a direct result of his devotion to God's law. So, when David speaks of snares, he means real danger, persecution, and temptation aimed at derailing his commitment to God.
Despite the danger, the psalmist refused to give up on God's commands. What fueled this incredible resilience?
The powerful response to the 'snare' is the resolute declaration: 'but I do not stray from your precepts.' This isn't about never making a mistake; as some commentaries note, even the faithful can err through weakness. Instead, it's about a fundamental, unwavering commitment. The snares of the wicked were meant to cause apostasy – a complete turning away from God. But the psalmist's posture was one of steadfast adherence. He wouldn't let the danger or the temptation derail his obedience. His focus remained on God's Word as his guide, even when surrounded by threats.
Understand the original words
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rasha · Hebrew Noun/Adjective
Those who reject God's authority and moral standards. In biblical literature, they are characterized by hostility toward the righteous and disregard for the divine order.
pach · Hebrew Noun
A trap or device used to catch an unsuspecting prey. Metaphorically, it refers to the schemes, temptations, or plots set by enemies to cause the righteous to stumble or fall.
piqqudim · Hebrew Noun
Statutes or mandates established by divine decree. They signify the specific ordinances or "charged" instructions that God has commanded His people to observe.
c. 1000 BC— this verse
Reign of King David
The Psalms are traditionally attributed to various authors, but many, especially those dealing with themes of persecution and faithfulness, are linked to King David. His life was marked by constant conflict, both internal and external, making him a likely figure to compose such verses.
c. 1000-586 BC
Post-Davidic Monarchy
The period following David's reign saw ongoing struggles with enemies and internal strife within the kingdom of Israel and Judah. This historical backdrop of political instability and threats from surrounding nations would have made the psalmist's plea against 'the wicked' highly relevant.
c. 722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian conquest of the northern kingdom of Israel led to the exile of many Israelites. This event instilled a deep sense of vulnerability and the potential for further divine judgment, influencing the psalmist's reflections on faithfulness amidst danger.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple by the Babylonians, followed by the exile of the people, represents a profound crisis of faith and national identity. The themes of wicked adversaries ensnaring the faithful resonate strongly with the experience of exiles.
This passage describes Jeremiah facing similar opposition and plots from wicked people who are trying to trap him, showing the ongoing struggle of faithful individuals against hostility.
Psalms 31:4Here, the psalmist speaks of enemies laying a trap for him, directly paralleling the imagery of Psalm 119:110 and highlighting the constant danger faced by those who follow God.
Psalms 119:85This verse, also from the same psalm, speaks of the wicked digging pits for the psalmist, reinforcing the theme of malicious plots and snares set against the righteous.
Proverbs 14:26This proverb speaks of the fear of the Lord as a strong defense and refuge, offering a contrast to the dangers posed by the wicked and pointing to God's protection for those who stay on His path.
1 Peter 5:8This New Testament passage warns believers about the devil prowling like a lion seeking to devour, which can be seen as a spiritual parallel to the wicked laying snares, urging vigilance and steadfastness in faith.
gillPsalms 119:110: "The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts."
The wicked have laid a snare for me,.... To draw him into sin, and so into mischief; and even to take away his life, as they are said to dig pits for him, Psalm 119:85 ; yet I erred not from thy precepts: not wilfully and wickedly, though through inadvertence and infirmity, as he often did, and every good man does; and indeed his errors are so many, that they cannot be understood and numbered. The sense is…
cambridgePsalms 119:110: "The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts."
110 . An explanation of the preceding verse. His life is threatened by enemies, apparently because of his devotion to the law, but no dangers or persecutions tempt him to indifference or apostasy. Cp. Psalm 119:85-87 . yet I erred not ] Yet went I not astray, as Psalm 119:176 .
The Psalmist isn't just saying he wasn't tempted to sin; he's declaring he didn't even stray in his thinking or intention. Even when wicked people set traps, his inner resolve to follow God's commands remained unbroken, demonstrating a profound commitment beyond mere outward action.
The psalmist is feeling the intense pressure of enemies who are actively trying to trap him into sin and thus destroy him. Despite these constant dangers, which have even put his life at risk, he asserts his determination to remain faithful to God's commands, recognizing that these divine precepts are his ultimate guide and inheritance.
The psalmist is feeling the intense pressure of enemies who are actively trying to trap him into sin and thus destroy him. Despite these constant dangers, which have even put his life at risk, he asserts his determination to remain faithful to God's commands, recognizing that these divine precepts are his ultimate guide and inheritance.
"The wicked have laid a snare for me, but I do not stray from your precepts." — The Psalmist isn't just saying he wasn't tempted to sin; he's declaring he didn't even stray in his thinking or intention. Even when wicked people set traps, his inner resolve to follow God's comma…
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Last reviewed October 2026