Those who neglect God’s instructions may find that their blessings become snares rather than sources of refuge.
“May their table before them become a snare; And when they are in peace, may it become a trap.” (v.22) In this portion of Psalm 69, penned by David around 1000 BC, the psalmist invokes divine retribution upon his adversaries, asking that the very place where they find comfort and sustenance—their “table”—would instead become a source of harm. David, who lived from approximately 1040 BC to 970 BC, faced numerous threats from both foreign and domestic enemies, including King Saul’s murderous pursuit of him (1 Samuel 18:10-11). By praying that their table might “become a trap,” he underscores the seriousness of turning away from God and the peril that comes from failing to honor Him when abundance and peace are taken for granted.Within the broader context of Psalm 69, David laments the unjust reproach he endures, asking God for vindication in the midst of intense suffering. This verse, like others in the psalm, illustrates an imprecatory petition, where the psalmist begs God to act decisively against persistent wrongdoing. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul references Psalm 69:22 in Romans 11:9 when cautioning that the blessings intended for good can become stumbling blocks if one’s heart remains hardened toward the Lord. Psalm 69 is also seen as prophetic, pointing forward to the Messiah’s ultimate suffering and rejection (Psalm 69:21).This verse reveals the psalmist’s firm conviction that those who misuse God’s gifts or knowingly reject His truth inevitably face divine judgment.
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Psalms 69:22 meaning
“May their table before them become a snare; And when they are in peace, may it become a trap.” (v.22) In this portion of Psalm 69, penned by David around 1000 BC, the psalmist invokes divine retribution upon his adversaries, asking that the very place where they find comfort and sustenance—their “table”—would instead become a source of harm. David, who lived from approximately 1040 BC to 970 BC, faced numerous threats from both foreign and domestic enemies, including King Saul’s murderous pursuit of him (1 Samuel 18:10-11). By praying that their table might “become a trap,” he underscores the seriousness of turning away from God and the peril that comes from failing to honor Him when abundance and peace are taken for granted.Within the broader context of Psalm 69, David laments the unjust reproach he endures, asking God for vindication in the midst of intense suffering. This verse, like others in the psalm, illustrates an imprecatory petition, where the psalmist begs God to act decisively against persistent wrongdoing. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul references Psalm 69:22 in Romans 11:9 when cautioning that the blessings intended for good can become stumbling blocks if one’s heart remains hardened toward the Lord. Psalm 69 is also seen as prophetic, pointing forward to the Messiah’s ultimate suffering and rejection (Psalm 69:21).This verse reveals the psalmist’s firm conviction that those who misuse God’s gifts or knowingly reject His truth inevitably face divine judgment.