The ropes of Sheol surrounded me; The snares of death confronted me.
Parallel translations
- WEB The cords of Sheol were around me. The snares of death caught me.
- KJV The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me;
- BSB The cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me.
- NKJV The sorrows of Sheol surrounded me; The snares of death confronted me.
- NLT The grave wrapped its ropes around me; death laid a trap in my path.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The cords of Sheol and snares of death closed in around David. He felt trapped on the very edge of the grave.
Overview
Continuing the imagery of mortal danger, David depicts death like a hunter's snare and binding cords. The picture conveys utter helplessness apart from divine rescue. Christ likewise faced the snares of death, yet broke them in his resurrection, securing hope for all who trust him.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- Ps 116:3The cords of death surrounded me, the pains of Sheol got a hold of me. I found trouble and sorrow.
- Prov 13:14The teaching of the wise is a spring of life, to turn from the snares of death.
- Jonah 2:2He said, “I called because of my affliction to Yahweh. He answered me. Out of the belly of Sheol I cried. You heard my voice.
- Acts 2:24whom God raised up, having freed him from the agony of death, because it was not possible that he should be held by it.
- Prov 5:22The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare him. The cords of his sin hold him firmly.
- Job 36:8If they are bound in fetters, and are taken in the cords of afflictions,
- Prov 14:27The fear of Yahweh is a fountain of life, turning people from the snares of death.
- Ps 140:5The proud have hidden a snare for me, they have spread the cords of a net by the path. They have set traps for me. Selah.
- Ps 18:5The cords of Sheol were around me. The snares of death came on me.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
God's covenant with David — a son whose throne and kingdom would last forever (7:12–16) — finds its yes in Jesus, the Son of David who reigns without end.
How 2 Samuel 22:6 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.