Psalm 142:3

3 When my spirit was fainting within me, then thou knewest my paths; in the very way wherein I was walking, they hid a snare for me.

Psalm 142:3 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 142:3

When my spirit was overwhelmed within me
Ready to sink and faint under the present affliction, being attended with the hidings of God's face, and with unbelieving frames; which is sometimes the case of God's people, and with which they are as it were covered and overwhelmed, as well as with a sense of sin, and with shame and sorrow for it; see ( Psalms 61:2 ) ( 78:3 ) ; then thou knewest my path:
the eyes of the Lord are upon all men, and he knows their goings, none of them are hid from him; and he sees and approves of the way, of the life and conversation of his people in general; and particularly observes what way they take under affliction, which is to apply to him for help and deliverance, ( Psalms 1:6 ) ( Job 23:10 ) . R. Moses in Aben Ezra and Kimchi interpret it of the path he walked in, which was right and not evil, for which he could appeal to God, that knows all things; it may literally intend the path David took to escape the fury of Saul, that pursued him from place to place; in the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me;
let him take which way he would, there were spies upon him, or men that were in ambush to take him; and snares were everywhere laid for him to entrap him; see ( Psalms 140:5 ) ( 141:9 ) .

Psalm 142:3 In-Context

1 I cried to the Lord with my voice; with my voice I made supplication to the Lord.

2 I will pour out before him my supplication: I will declare before him mine affliction.

3 When my spirit was fainting within me, then thou knewest my paths; in the very way wherein I was walking, they hid a snare for me.

4 I looked on my right hand, and behold, for there was none that noticed me; refuge failed me; and there was none that cared for my soul.

5 I cried unto thee, O Lord, and said, Thou art my hope, my portion in the land of the living.

6 Attend to my supplication, for I am brought very low; deliver me from them that persecute me; for they are stronger than I.

7 Bring my soul out of prison, that I may give thanks to thy name, O Lord; the righteous shall wait for me, until thou recompense me.