Psalms 116:3
Psalms 116:3 in Multiple Translations
The ropes of death entangled me; the anguish of Sheol overcame me; I was confronted by trouble and sorrow.
The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.
The cords of death compassed me, And the pains of Sheol gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.
The nets of death were round me, and the pains of the underworld had me in their grip; I was full of trouble and sorrow.
I was caught in the snares of death; I was trapped by terrors of the grave. All I experienced was suffering and grief.
When the snares of death copassed me, and the griefes of the graue caught me: when I founde trouble and sorowe.
Compassed me have cords of death, And straits of Sheol have found me, Distress and sorrow I find.
The cords of death surrounded me, the pains of Sheol got a hold of me. I found trouble and sorrow.
The sorrows of death encompassed me, and the pains of hell came upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.
Everything around me [MET] caused me to think that I would die; I was very afraid that I would die and go to the place where dead people are. I was very distressed/worried and afraid.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 116:3
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 116:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אֲפָפ֤וּ/נִי
חֶבְלֵי
מָ֗וֶת
וּ/מְצָרֵ֣י
שְׁא֣וֹל
מְצָא֑וּ/נִי
צָרָ֖ה
וְ/יָג֣וֹן
אֶמְצָֽא
אֲפָפ֤וּ/נִי
ʼâphaph
H661
to surround
V-Qal-Perf-3cp | Suff
חֶבְלֵי
chebel
H2256
cord
N-cp
מָ֗וֶת
mâveth
H4194
death
N-ms
וּ/מְצָרֵ֣י
mêtsar
H4712
terror
Conj | N-mp
שְׁא֣וֹל
shᵉʼôwl
H7585
hell
N-proper
מְצָא֑וּ/נִי
mâtsâʼ
H4672
to find
V-Qal-Perf-3cp | Suff
צָרָ֖ה
tsârâh
H6869
dearth
N-fs
וְ/יָג֣וֹן
yâgôwn
H3015
sorrow
Conj | N-ms
אֶמְצָֽא
mâtsâʼ
H4672
to find
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 116:3
אֲפָפ֤וּ/נִי
ʼâphaph
H661
"to surround"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp | Suff
To surround or encompass is the meaning of this Hebrew word, often used to describe God's protection or the enemy's attack, as in compassing about someone.
Definition: 1) to surround, encompass 1a) (Qal) to encompass
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: compass. See also: 2 Samuel 22:5; Psalms 40:13; Psalms 18:5.
חֶבְלֵי
chebel
H2256
"cord"
N-cp
A cord or rope, also a measured area of land or a group of people tied together. In the Bible, it appears in books like Joshua and Psalms. It can also mean a company or region.
Definition: 1) a cord, rope, territory, band, company 1a) a rope, cord 1b) a measuring-cord or line 1c) a measured portion, lot, part, region 1d) a band or company § destruction
Usage: Occurs in 60 OT verses. KJV: band, coast, company, cord, country, destruction, line, lot, pain, pang, portion, region, rope, snare, sorrow, tackling. See also: Deuteronomy 3:4; Psalms 119:61; Psalms 16:6.
מָ֗וֶת
mâveth
H4194
"death"
N-ms
In the Bible, this word refers to death, whether natural or violent, and is used in books like Genesis and Isaiah. It can also mean the place of the dead, or a state of ruin. This concept is seen in the story of Moses, where death is a punishment for disobedience.
Definition: 1) death, dying, Death (personified), realm of the dead 1a) death 1b) death by violence (as a penalty) 1c) state of death, place of death Aramaic equivalent: mot (מוֹת "death" H4193)
Usage: Occurs in 153 OT verses. KJV: (be) dead(-ly), death, die(-d). See also: Genesis 21:16; Job 38:17; Psalms 6:6.
וּ/מְצָרֵ֣י
mêtsar
H4712
"terror"
Conj | N-mp
Metsar signifies terror or trouble, describing a tight or difficult situation. It represents distress or pain, like being in a strait or narrow place.
Definition: straits, distress
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: distress, pain, strait. See also: Psalms 116:3; Psalms 118:5; Lamentations 1:3.
שְׁא֣וֹל
shᵉʼôwl
H7585
"hell"
N-proper
Sheol refers to the underworld or grave, a place of no return where the dead reside, as seen in the Old Testament. It is often translated as hell or pit in the KJV. This concept is mentioned in various books, including Psalms and Isaiah.
Definition: Sheol, underworld, grave, hell, pit 1a) the underworld 1b) Sheol-the OT designation for the abode of the dead 1b1) place of no return 1b2) without praise of God 1b3) wicked sent there for punishment 1b4) righteous not abandoned to it 1b5) of the place of exile (fig) 1b6) of extreme degradation in sin
Usage: Occurs in 64 OT verses. KJV: grave, hell, pit. See also: Genesis 37:35; Psalms 139:8; Psalms 6:6.
מְצָא֑וּ/נִי
mâtsâʼ
H4672
"to find"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp | Suff
Matsa means to find or attain something, whether it is a physical object, a person, or a condition, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to find, attain to 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to find 1a1a) to find, secure, acquire, get (thing sought) 1a1b) to find (what is lost) 1a1c) to meet, encounter 1a1d) to find (a condition) 1a1e) to learn, devise 1a2) to find out 1a2a) to find out 1a2b) to detect 1a2c) to guess 1a3) to come upon, light upon 1a3a) to happen upon, meet, fall in with 1a3b) to hit 1a3c) to befall 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be found 1b1a) to be encountered, be lighted upon, be discovered 1b1b) to appear, be recognised 1b1c) to be discovered, be detected 1b1d) to be gained, be secured 1b2) to be, be found 1b2a) to be found in 1b2b) to be in the possession of 1b2c) to be found in (a place), happen to be 1b2d) to be left (after war) 1b2e) to be present 1b2f) to prove to be 1b2g) to be found sufficient, be enough 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to find, attain 1c2) to cause to light upon, come upon, come 1c3) to cause to encounter 1c4) to present (offering)
Usage: Occurs in 425 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] be able, befall, being, catch, [idiom] certainly, (cause to) come (on, to, to hand), deliver, be enough (cause to) find(-ing, occasion, out), get (hold upon), [idiom] have (here), be here, hit, be left, light (up-) on, meet (with), [idiom] occasion serve, (be) present, ready, speed, suffice, take hold on. See also: Genesis 2:20; Deuteronomy 22:3; 2 Kings 9:35.
צָרָ֖ה
tsârâh
H6869
"dearth"
N-fs
A vexer is someone who causes trouble or distress, like a rival wife, used in the Bible to describe relationships or situations that cause anguish or affliction, as seen in the book of Genesis.
Definition: death, destitution
Usage: Occurs in 72 OT verses. KJV: adversary, adversity, affliction, anguish, distress, tribulation, trouble. See also: Genesis 35:3; Psalms 116:3; Psalms 9:10.
וְ/יָג֣וֹן
yâgôwn
H3015
"sorrow"
Conj | N-ms
Yagon refers to a state of sorrow or grief, like the anguish felt after a loss, and is used in the Bible to describe emotional pain.
Definition: grief, sorrow, anguish
Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: grief, sorrow. See also: Genesis 42:38; Isaiah 35:10; Psalms 13:3.
אֶמְצָֽא
mâtsâʼ
H4672
"to find"
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
Matsa means to find or attain something, whether it is a physical object, a person, or a condition, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to find, attain to 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to find 1a1a) to find, secure, acquire, get (thing sought) 1a1b) to find (what is lost) 1a1c) to meet, encounter 1a1d) to find (a condition) 1a1e) to learn, devise 1a2) to find out 1a2a) to find out 1a2b) to detect 1a2c) to guess 1a3) to come upon, light upon 1a3a) to happen upon, meet, fall in with 1a3b) to hit 1a3c) to befall 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be found 1b1a) to be encountered, be lighted upon, be discovered 1b1b) to appear, be recognised 1b1c) to be discovered, be detected 1b1d) to be gained, be secured 1b2) to be, be found 1b2a) to be found in 1b2b) to be in the possession of 1b2c) to be found in (a place), happen to be 1b2d) to be left (after war) 1b2e) to be present 1b2f) to prove to be 1b2g) to be found sufficient, be enough 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to find, attain 1c2) to cause to light upon, come upon, come 1c3) to cause to encounter 1c4) to present (offering)
Usage: Occurs in 425 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] be able, befall, being, catch, [idiom] certainly, (cause to) come (on, to, to hand), deliver, be enough (cause to) find(-ing, occasion, out), get (hold upon), [idiom] have (here), be here, hit, be left, light (up-) on, meet (with), [idiom] occasion serve, (be) present, ready, speed, suffice, take hold on. See also: Genesis 2:20; Deuteronomy 22:3; 2 Kings 9:35.
Study Notes — Psalms 116:3
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 116:3 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 116:3
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 116:3
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 116:3
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 116:3
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 116:3
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 116:3
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 116:3
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 116:3
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 116:3
- Sermons on Psalms 116:3
Context — The LORD Has Heard My Voice
1I love the LORD, for He has heard my voice— my appeal for mercy.
2Because He has inclined His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live.
3The ropes of death entangled me; the anguish of Sheol overcame me; I was confronted by trouble and sorrow.
4Then I called on the name of the LORD: “O LORD, deliver my soul!” 5The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 18:4–6 | The cords of death encompassed me; the torrents of chaos overwhelmed me. The cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me. 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. |
| 2 | Psalms 38:6 | I am bent and brought low; all day long I go about mourning. |
| 3 | Psalms 32:3–4 | When I kept silent, my bones became brittle from my groaning all day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was drained as in the summer heat. Selah |
| 4 | Psalms 88:6–7 | You have laid me in the lowest Pit, in the darkest of the depths. Your wrath weighs heavily upon me; all Your waves have submerged me. Selah |
| 5 | Luke 22:44 | And in His anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground. |
| 6 | Hebrews 5:7 | During the days of Jesus’ earthly life, He offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the One who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence. |
| 7 | Jonah 2:2–3 | saying: “In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered me. From the belly of Sheol I called for help, and You heard my voice. For You cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the current swirled about me; all Your breakers and waves swept over me. |
| 8 | Isaiah 53:3–4 | He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. Surely He took on our infirmities and carried our sorrows; yet we considered Him stricken by God, struck down and afflicted. |
| 9 | Mark 14:33–36 | He took with Him Peter, James, and John, and began to be deeply troubled and distressed. Then He said to them, “My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch.” Going a little farther, He fell to the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour would pass from Him. “Abba, Father,” He said, “all things are possible for You. Take this cup from Me. Yet not what I will, but what You will.” |
Psalms 116:3 Summary
[This verse is talking about a time when the psalmist felt like they were trapped and couldn't escape, like they were stuck in a bad situation with no way out, similar to what is described in Psalms 107:10-14. But even in that darkness, they could call out to God for help, just like we can, as it says in Romans 8:28 that God works all things together for our good. The psalmist is saying that even when things seem really tough, we can trust that God is near and will help us, as it says in Psalms 34:18 that God is close to the brokenhearted.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to be entangled by the ropes of death?
To be entangled by the ropes of death means to be caught in a situation where it seems like there is no escape, similar to Jonah's experience in Jonah 2:5, where he was trapped in the belly of the fish, but God delivered him.
Is Sheol the same as hell?
While Sheol is sometimes translated as hell, it more specifically refers to the grave or the place of the dead, as seen in Psalms 88:3, where it says 'For my soul is full of trouble and my life draws near to Sheol'
How can I relate to the anguish of Sheol in my life?
The anguish of Sheol can be understood as a deep sense of despair or hopelessness, like the feelings expressed in Psalms 38:4, where David says 'I am troubled, I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day'
What kind of trouble and sorrow is the psalmist referring to?
The trouble and sorrow the psalmist is referring to is likely a deep emotional or spiritual pain, similar to what Job experienced in Job 16:7-8, where he says 'Now my eyes see you, but I am faint, I have escaped by the skin of my teeth'
Reflection Questions
- What are some 'ropes of death' that have entangled me in my life, and how have I been delivered from them?
- How can I, like the psalmist, express my deepest sorrows and troubles to God, and trust in His deliverance?
- What does it mean for me to be 'confronted by trouble and sorrow', and how can I respond to those challenges in a way that honors God?
- In what ways can I, like the psalmist, call on the name of the Lord in times of trouble, and trust in His gracious and compassionate character?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 116:3
The sorrows of death compassed me,.... Christ, of whom David was a type, was a man of sorrows all his days; and in the garden he was surrounded with sorrow; exceeding sorrowful even unto death, in a
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 116:3
The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow. The sorrows of death compassed me - literally, 'the cords' or 'bands of death' (note, Psalms 18:5).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 116:3
The sorrows of death; dangerous and deadly calamities, as bitter as death. Or, the cords of death. Of hell; or, of the grave; or, of death; either killing pains, or such agonies and horrors as dying persons use to feel within themselves. Gat hold upon me, Heb. found me, i.e. surprised me. Having been long pursuing me, at last they overtook me, and seized upon me, and I gave up myself for lost.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 116:3
Psalms 116:3 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.Ver. 3. The sorrows of death compassed me] See Psalms 18:4-5, Pictura poetica ingentium periculorum. Sorrows, or pangs, and those deadly ones, and these compassed me as a bird in a snare, or a beast in a gin. The pains of hell (or the griefs of the grave) gat hold] Heb. found me, as Numbers 32:23. I found trouble and sorrow] Straits inextricable cause sorrows inexplicable. The word signifieth such sorrow as venteth itself by sighing, Isaiah 35:10; Isaiah 51:11.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 116:3
(3) The pains of hell.—Or, oppressions of Sheôl, if we retain the text. But a very slight change in a single letter brings the clause into closer correspondence with Psalms 18:5-6, whence it is plainly borrowed, the nets of Sheôl. We may reproduce the original more exactly by using, as it does, the same verb in the last two clauses of the verse: Nets of Sheôl caught me, Trouble and sorrow I catch.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 116:3
Verse 3. The sorrows of death] חבלי מות chebley maveth, the cables or cords of death; alluding to their bonds and fetters during their captivity; or to the cords by which a criminal is bound who is about to be led out to execution; or to the bandages in which the dead were enveloped, when head, arms, body, and limbs were all laced down together. The pains of hell] מצרי שאול metsarey sheol, the straitnesses of the grave. So little expectation was there of life, that he speaks as if he were condemned, executed, and closed up in the tomb. Or, he may refer here to the small niches in cemeteries, where the coffins of the dead were placed. Because this Psalm has been used in the thanksgiving of women after safe delivery, it has been supposed that the pain suffered in the act of parturition was equal for the time to the torments of the damned. But this supposition is shockingly absurd; the utmost power of human nature could not, for a moment, endure the wrath of God, the deathless worm, and the unquenchable fire. The body must die, be decomposed, and be built up on indestructible principles, before this punishment can be borne.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 116:3
3, 4. The Psalmist’s prayer in peril. Cp. Psalms 18:4-6.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 116:3
The sorrows of death - What an expression! We know of no intenser sorrows pertaining to this world than those which we associate with the dying struggle - whether our views in regard to the reality
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 116:3
3. Sorrows of death—Hebrew, Cords of death, in allusion to the use of “cords,” or ropes, for leading animals, binding prisoners, punishment by strangulation, etc., in all which the idea of abject and
Sermons on Psalms 116:3
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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The Power of the Name of Jesus by Basilea Schlink | In this sermon, Basilio Shlink emphasizes the power of the name of Jesus in freeing us from the chains of sin. He encourages listeners to call upon the name of Jesus in prayer, as |
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Singing the Praises of God by Paul Bramsen | Paul Bramsen emphasizes the significance of singing in worship, tracing its roots back to biblical times when God's people praised Him through song. The Bible showcases believers i |
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They Repented Not by Harry Ironside | Harry Ironside emphasizes that while God's creation and goodness should lead humanity to repentance, many remain unresponsive, drifting further into sin despite experiencing His bl |
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(2 Samuel) the Grateful Retrospect by David Guzik | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on Psalm 18 and the deliverance of David from his enemies. The speaker highlights the sense of danger that David expresses in the psalm, includi |
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"The Greatness of God's Deliverance" by A.W. Tozer | A.W. Tozer emphasizes the greatness of God's deliverance, illustrating how David, surrounded by sorrow and enemies, called upon the Lord and received divine intervention. He explai |
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David Confessing God as His Refuge by Bob Hoekstra | Bob Hoekstra preaches on the importance of trusting in God as our refuge and hiding place. Just like David, who often confessed God as his refuge, we are encouraged to turn to God |
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Encourage Yourself in the Lord by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson emphasizes the importance of encouraging oneself in the Lord, acknowledging that even the most faithful believers experience pain, confusion, and sorrow. He uses th |