Psalm 119:110

Psalm 119:110

All about snares

In verse 85 we were advised by the writer that the arrogant dug pits for him. The verse now before us accuses the wicked of setting a snare. How do snares work? Nowadays, wire is used but this would not have been available in ancient times, presumably they used rope or any other kind of cord in which you could tie a noose. (Actually, there are plant fibres that will do the job like milkweed or dogbane or even stringy tree bark.) Snares need to be set on a route that an animal uses regularly and where there are bendable saplings to which the cord can be attached. The noose is fixed to the ground so that an unsuspecting animal cannot see it but when its foot or leg is caught it tightens and holds the creature fast. 

It's hard to speculate on how the wicked might have set a snare for our friend, they would have known his daily habits, they would have also known what kind of slander or accusation would pin him down and ultimately take him captive. Snaring is a cruel and primitive form of hunting, and it usually causes great distress and pain to its victims. To be caught by false accusations would be especially painful because, as the verse says, the writer had not strayed from the precepts of the Lord. He was innocent, the charges against him were false and without justification.

Have we been the victims of unjust allegations? Have people laid in wait looking for an opportunity to trip us up? Have we innocently stepped into a snare and been indicted for things we never did or said? Remember, the truly wicked are the ones who set the snares and God sees. Remember too, that if we live by the standards that He has set, the wicked can try all they want but their only hope is to invent their accusations, and our God will ultimately vindicate us for He is a just and righteous God. 

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