Psalm 141:4 - Recognise that you are travelling amidst snares

  

Verse 4 of Psalm 141 is a reminder that we always need to be alert and aware both of our own weaknesses and the dangers posed by others.

Text notes

The Latin translations

4	V/NV	In via hac, qua ambulábam, * abscondérunt láqueum mihi.
	R	In via hac qua ambulabam absconderunt laqueos mihi.
	JH	In via hac, qua ambulabo, absconderunt laqueum mihi.
		ἐν ὁδῷ ταύτῃ ᾗ ἐπορευόμην ἔκρυψαν παγίδα μοι

Word by word: 

In via (in the way) hac (this) qua (that) ambulabam (I was walking) absconderunt (they have hidden/concelaed) laqueum (a trap/snare) mihi (for me). 

Key vocabulary

ambulo, avi, atum, are to walk; the manner in which one orders one's life;

abscondo, condi, conditum, ere 3, to hide, conceal; to lay up, to treasure, guard jealously.

laqueus, ei, m., a noose for capturing animals; a snare, trap, net, 

abscondo, condi, conditum, ere 3, to hide, conceal; to lay up, to treasure, guard jealously.

laqueus, ei, m., a noose for capturing animals; a snare, trap, net,

Selected English translations:

DR	In this way wherein I walked, they have hidden a snare for me.
Brenton	in the very way wherein I was walking, they hid a snare for me.
MD	On the way where I must go, they have hid a snare for me
RSV	In the path where I walk they have hidden a trap for me.
Cover	in the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.
Knox	They lie in ambush for me, there by the wayside
Grail	On the way where I shall walk they have hidden a snare to entrap me.

Traps set by the hunter

At the literal level the story reflects that of King David, as Theodoret explained:

The hunters pick up the traces of the wild beasts and set traps there. In imitation of them Saul continued his exertions against David, learned where he was living and focused his schemes in that direction. 

But of course the image of the hunter, seeking to trick or trap his prey is a common one in Scripture, and there are many plays on this in the Gospels as they speak of the Scribes and Pharisees attempts to trap Our Lord in the lead up to his arrest, and then at his trials.

And it is part of the devil's ongoing playbook, tailoring his traps to each of our particular weaknesses.  St Jerome says:

Vices are next door neighbour to the virtues.  In whatever path a man is determined to walk, traps are set for him: in fasting, in almsgiving, or in any other good works.  

Theodoret expanded out the point:

This the devil also does: for the one traveling the way of temperance he sets the trap of pleasure, whereas for the one taking satisfaction in almsgiving the net of vainglory, for the one scorning wealth the chances of avarice, for virginity pride, and for every single state of life the snare most likely to catch them.

We must then be alert, St John Chrysostom tells us, for awareness that we are 'travelling amidst snares, walking on the parapets of cities' helps keep us on our toes: such traps are a call to awaken from our slumber, and shake off indifference.

Psalm 141 (142): Voce mea ad Dominum clamavi 

Vulgate	Douay-Rheims
Intellectus David, cum esset in spelunca, oratio	Of understanding for David, A prayer when he was in the cave.
1 Voce mea ad Dóminum clamávi: * voce mea ad dóminum deprecátus sum.	2 I cried to the Lord with my voice: with my voice I made supplication to the Lord.
2. Effúndo in conspéctu ejus oratiónem meam, * et tribulatiónem meam ante ipsum pronúntio	3 In his sight I pour out my prayer, and before him I declare my trouble:
3. In deficiéndo ex me spíritum meum: * et tu cognovísti sémitas meas.	4 When my spirit failed me, then you knew my paths.
4  In via hac, qua ambulábam, * abscondérunt láqueum mihi.	In this way wherein I walked, they have hidden a snare for me.
5 Considerábam ad déxteram, et vidébam: * et non erat qui cognósceret me.	5 I looked on my right hand, and beheld, and there was no one that would know me.
6. Périit fuga a me: * et non est qui requírat ánimam meam.	Flight has failed me: and there is no one that has regard to my soul.
7. Clamávi ad te, Dómine, * dixi: Tu es spes mea, pórtio mea in terra vivéntium.	6 I cried to you, O Lord: I said: You are my hope, my portion in the land of the living.
8.  Inténde ad deprecatiónem meam: * quia humiliátus sum nimis.	7 Attend to my supplication: for I am brought very low.
9.  Líbera me a persequéntibus me: * quia confortáti sunt super me.	Deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.
10 Educ de custódia ánimam meam ad confiténdum nómini tuo: me exspéctant justi, donec retríbuas mihi.	8 Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise your name: the just wait for me, until you reward me.