Psalms 69:22

KJV

¶ Let their table become a snare before them: and [that which should have been] for [their] welfare, [let it become] a trap.

KJV (with Strong's)

Let their table {H7979} become a snare {H6341} before {H6440} them: and that which should have been for their welfare {H7965}, let it become a trap {H4170}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Let their dining table before them become a snare; when they are at peace, let it become a trap;

Berean Standard Bible

May their table become a snare; may it be a retribution and a trap.

American Standard Version

Let their table before them become a snare; And when they are in peace, let it become a trap.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 69:22 is a potent imprecatory prayer from a lament psalm, attributed to King David, expressing a fervent plea for divine justice against his adversaries. It powerfully articulates a profound reversal of fortune, where the very sources of sustenance, prosperity, and well-being intended for the wicked are invoked to become instruments of their downfall, transforming their "table" and "welfare" into a "snare" and a "trap." This verse underscores the biblical principle that persistent unrighteousness and opposition to God's ways ultimately lead to self-inflicted ruin, often through unexpected means.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 69 is a deeply personal and prophetic lament, one of the most significant in [the book of Psalms](/psalms "The Book of Psalms"). David, the presumed author, pours out his soul to God, describing his overwhelming suffering, the unprovoked hatred of his enemies, and his zealous devotion to the Lord. He vividly portrays himself as sinking in deep waters, feeling abandoned and mocked by those who hate him without cause, as seen in [Psalm 69:1-4](/psalms/69-1-4 "Psalm 69:1-4 - David's Deep Distress and Plea for Deliverance"). The psalm transitions from intense personal anguish and cries for deliverance to a series of imprecatory prayers, beginning around [Psalm 69:22](/psalms/69-22 "Psalm 69:22 - Let Their Table Become a Snare"). These verses are not mere expressions of personal vengeance but appeals to God's righteous judgment against those who actively oppose Him and His anointed, mocking their devotion and adding to their suffering. This shift highlights David's conviction that God is a God of justice who will ultimately vindicate His faithful servant.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the "table" (H7979, _shulchan'_) was far more than just a place to eat; it symbolized hospitality, provision, fellowship, security, and prosperity. To share a meal was a sign of peace and covenant, as exemplified in various biblical narratives. Therefore, the prayer that one's table would become a "snare" (H6341, _pach'_) or "trap" (H4170, _môwqêsh'_) is a profound curse, implying that the very source of their comfort and security would turn against them, leading to sudden and inescapable ruin. This imagery draws from common hunting practices, where animals are caught unawares by hidden devices. The concept of "welfare" (H7965, _shâlôwm'_) in Hebrew culture encompasses not just peace, but completeness, wholeness, prosperity, and well-being in all aspects of life. The prayer, then, is that the very things intended for their *shâlôwm* would become the instruments of their destruction, a stark reversal of divine order for those who defy it.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several major themes present throughout [the Psalter](/psalms "The Book of Psalms") and broader biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Justice and Retribution**, asserting God's ultimate sovereignty over human affairs and His commitment to righting wrongs. David's plea is for God to execute judgment against those who have unjustly afflicted him, reflecting a deep trust in God's righteousness. Closely related is the **Reversal of Fortune**, a recurring motif where the wicked's schemes backfire, and their intended blessings turn into curses, while the righteous are ultimately vindicated. This theme is particularly evident in [the wisdom literature](/proverbs "The Book of Proverbs"), such as [Proverbs 26:27](/proverbs/26-27 "Proverbs 26:27 - He who digs a pit will fall into it"). Furthermore, the verse underscores the **Consequences of Unrighteousness**, illustrating that persistent opposition to God and His people leads to a hardening of heart and a state where even sources of potential good become instruments of judgment. Finally, given its New Testament application, the verse also carries a profound theme of **Imprecation and Prophecy**, demonstrating how specific prayers for justice against adversaries in the Old Testament foreshadow the ultimate judgment against those who reject God's Messiah, as seen in [the New Testament's interpretation](/acts/1-20 "Acts 1:20 - Peter quotes Psalm 69:22-23 regarding Judas").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Table (Hebrew, _shulchân'_):** This word (H7979) refers to a flat surface used for eating, but its cultural significance extends far beyond that. The "table" represents sustenance, provision, hospitality, fellowship, and security. It is the place where life is sustained, where covenants are often sealed, and where well-being is enjoyed. To wish for one's table to become a snare is to pray for the complete subversion of their most fundamental sources of comfort and stability, turning a symbol of life into an instrument of death.
* **Snare (Hebrew, _pach'_):** This term (H6341) denotes a trap, specifically a "spring net" or "gin," often used for hunting birds or animals. It implies something hidden, unexpected, and designed to capture or ensnare. The use of "snare" suggests a sudden, inescapable, and ruinous capture. It is an instrument of destruction that turns what seems ordinary or harmless into a deadly threat, catching its victim unawares.
* **Welfare (Hebrew, _shâlôwm'_):** Far richer than the English "welfare," this comprehensive term (H7965) encompasses peace, wholeness, completeness, prosperity, health, and well-being in every dimension of life—physical, spiritual, social, and material. It is the state of flourishing that God desires for His people. The prayer in Psalms 69:22 is that the very things intended for their *shâlôwm* would ironically become a "trap" (H4170, _môwqêsh'_, a noose or gin) for their destruction, highlighting the profound reversal of divine order for the unrighteous.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Let their table become a snare before them:"** This opening clause is an imprecatory prayer, a direct appeal to God for judgment. The "table," symbolizing provision, security, and fellowship, is invoked to become a "snare." This means that the very things from which the wicked derive comfort, strength, and confidence—their resources, their social standing, their perceived peace—would turn into instruments of their unexpected and unavoidable downfall. What they rely on for life would instead lead to their ruin, catching them off guard.
* **"and [that which should have been] for [their] welfare, [let it become] a trap."** This second clause functions as a powerful parallel to the first, intensifying the imprecation. "Welfare" (H7965, _shâlôwm'_) represents their holistic well-being, prosperity, and peace. The prayer is that these very elements, which should bring them flourishing, would instead become a "trap" (H4170, _môwqêsh'_), another term for an inescapable device of capture and destruction. This emphasizes the profound irony and divine justice: the blessings and opportunities given to them, or even their own self-serving pursuits of peace and prosperity, would ultimately ensnare them due to their unrighteousness and opposition to God.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 69:22 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. **Parallelism** is evident throughout the verse, specifically **synonymous parallelism**, where the second clause ("that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap") echoes and intensifies the meaning of the first ("Let their table become a snare before them"). Both clauses express the same core idea of reversal and judgment, reinforcing the imprecatory prayer. The verse also utilizes potent **Metaphor**, as "table" and "welfare" are not literally transforming into physical "snares" and "traps." Instead, these terms serve as metaphors for the means of their ruin, implying that the very foundations of their life and prosperity would become the instruments of their destruction. Finally, there is profound **Irony** at play. The "table" (a symbol of life and sustenance) and "welfare" (representing peace and flourishing) are precisely what are invoked to become instruments of ruin. This stark contrast highlights the perversion of blessings into curses for those who reject God's ways, emphasizing that sin carries its own destructive consequences, often turning one's perceived strengths into fatal weaknesses.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 69:22 profoundly articulates the biblical principle of divine retribution and the consequences of persistent unrighteousness. It is a prayer rooted in the conviction that God is a righteous judge who will ultimately vindicate His suffering servants and bring justice upon those who actively oppose Him and His truth. The verse speaks to the danger of spiritual hardening, where even the blessings and opportunities provided by God can become a stumbling block for those who refuse to acknowledge Him. It reflects the broader biblical theme that those who dig a pit for others often fall into it themselves, and that the wicked's own devices will ultimately ensnare them. This is not a call for personal vengeance but an appeal to God's perfect justice, trusting that He will turn the tables on the oppressors.

* [Acts 1:20](/acts/1-20 "Acts 1:20 - Peter quotes Psalm 69:22-23 regarding Judas's fate")
* [Romans 11:9-10](/romans/11-9-10 "Romans 11:9-10 - Paul quotes Psalm 69:22-23 regarding Israel's hardening")
* [Proverbs 26:27](/proverbs/26-27 "Proverbs 26:27 - He who digs a pit will fall into it")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While Psalms 69:22 is an imprecatory prayer, which can feel challenging for believers committed to Christ's command to love our enemies, it offers profound insights for contemporary reflection. It reminds us that God is indeed a God of justice, and ultimately, all wickedness will be confronted and judged. This verse serves as a solemn warning against spiritual complacency, pride, and the misuse of God's blessings. What God provides for our good—our resources, our relationships, our peace—can indeed become a detriment if our hearts are hardened, our ways are unrighteous, or if we fail to acknowledge Him as the source of all good. For those who trust in God, it offers assurance that even amidst persecution and injustice, God sees and will act on behalf of His righteous ones, often turning the schemes of the wicked back upon themselves. It challenges us to examine our own lives: are we using our "table" and "welfare" for God's glory, or are we allowing them to become potential snares that lead us away from Him?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this verse challenge my understanding of divine justice in a world where injustice often seems to prevail?**
* **In what ways might my own "table" (my resources, comforts, or opportunities) become a snare if not stewarded according to God's will?**
* **How can I reconcile the imprecatory nature of this psalm with the New Testament command to love my enemies and pray for those who persecute me?**

### FAQ

**Is it appropriate for Christians to pray imprecatory prayers like Psalm 69:22?**

Answer: This is a complex question for Christians. While the New Testament calls believers to love their enemies ([Matthew 5:44](/matthew/5-44 "Matthew 5:44 - Love Your Enemies")) and leave vengeance to God ([Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance is Mine")), imprecatory psalms like Psalm 69:22 are not expressions of personal vindictiveness but appeals to God's perfect justice. They reflect a deep yearning for God's righteousness to prevail in a world marred by sin and injustice. For Christians, these psalms remind us that God is indeed a just judge who will ultimately right all wrongs. While we are called to forgive and extend grace, we also acknowledge that there will be a final reckoning where all evil will be judged. We can learn from these psalms to express our pain and desire for justice to God, trusting Him to execute it in His perfect timing and way, rather than taking it into our own hands.

**How does "table" and "welfare" become a "snare" or "trap" for the wicked?**

Answer: The "table" and "welfare" represent all that provides comfort, security, and prosperity. For the wicked, these very blessings can become instruments of their downfall in several ways. Firstly, unchecked prosperity can lead to arrogance and spiritual blindness, causing them to forget God and become complacent in their sin ([Proverbs 1:32](/proverbs/1-32 "Proverbs 1:32 - The complacency of fools destroys them")). Secondly, their pursuit of self-serving "welfare" can lead them into unethical or destructive behaviors that ultimately backfire, trapping them in the consequences of their own actions. What they rely on for their perceived strength or happiness can become the means by which they are exposed, humbled, or brought to ruin. It's a divine irony where the very things intended for good, when misused or built upon unrighteousness, become the instruments of judgment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 69:22, though a prayer for justice against David's enemies, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment, particularly through its New Testament applications. The entire Psalm 69 is deeply prophetic of Christ's suffering, rejection, and zealous devotion to God, as seen in [John 2:17](/john/2-17 "John 2:17 - Jesus' Zeal for the Temple") and [Romans 15:3](/romans/15-3 "Romans 15:3 - Christ Did Not Please Himself"). The imprecation against those who persecuted David ultimately foreshadows the judgment that fell upon those who rejected and crucified the Messiah. Peter explicitly quotes [Psalms 69:22-23](/psalms/69-22-23 "Psalm 69:22-23 - Prophecy of Judgment") in [Acts 1:20](/acts/1-20 "Acts 1:20 - Peter quotes Psalm 69:22-23 regarding Judas") to describe the fate of Judas Iscariot, whose "table" (his position among the disciples, his share in the ministry) became a snare leading to his betrayal and ruin. Even more expansively, Paul applies these verses in [Romans 11:9-10](/romans/11-9-10 "Romans 11:9-10 - Paul quotes Psalm 69:22-23 regarding Israel's hardening") to explain the spiritual hardening that came upon a portion of Israel due to their rejection of Christ. For them, their very blessings—the Law, the covenants, their spiritual "table" of divine revelation and privilege—became a stumbling block and a snare, leading to spiritual blindness rather than salvation. Christ Himself, who is the true source of *shâlôwm* ([John 14:27](/john/14-27 "John 14:27 - Jesus Gives Peace")), becomes a "stone of stumbling and a rock of offense" for those who do not believe ([1 Peter 2:8](/1_peter/2-8 "1 Peter 2:8 - A Stone of Stumbling")). Thus, the ultimate "table" of fellowship with God, offered through Christ, becomes a source of judgment for those who partake unworthily or reject the invitation, fulfilling the psalm's prophetic warning that what should be for one's welfare can become a trap.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Romans 11:8

(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.

Romans 11:10

Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.

1 Thessalonians 5:3

For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

Proverbs 1:32

For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.

1 Peter 2:8

And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, [even to them] which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

Malachi 2:2

If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay [it] to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay [it] to heart.

Isaiah 8:14

And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.