For verse 3a-b see similar language in 18.4-5. The two lines are parallel: The snares of death in line a is synonymous with the pangs of (that is, caused by) Sheol in line b. Death is pictured as a hunter with nets and traps trying to catch its victim. In line b the word translated the pangs occurs elsewhere in the Old Testament only in 118.5 and Lamentations 1.3 (Revised Standard Version “distress”), and seems to have the general meaning of “distress, anguish” (the Septuagint translates “dangers”); so Good News Translation “horrors.” It does not seem precisely parallel to snares, but the Hebrew for pangs resembles laid hold on me, so a play on words may be involved. Some propose the conjecture “hunting-net” (so Bible de Jérusalem; New Jerusalem Bible translates the two figures “bonds of death” and “snares of Sheol”). Dahood translates “emissaries of Sheol.” In some languages where snares and traps are common, it may be possible to keep the figurative language, provided, of course, that it is natural to speak of snares of death. In some languages it will be necessary to shift to a simile; for example, “death surrounds me like a snare.” In languages in which a simile will not serve, it may be possible to say “death is trying to destroy me.” In languages in which death cannot be an active agent, it may be necessary to say “I was always in danger of dying.” Verse 3b may sometimes be rendered “I was filled with the fear of dying” or “I was afraid that I would die.”

Both lines portray the psalmist as almost dead; it seemed that death had caught him and would not let him go. This vivid language emphasizes how desperate the psalmist was; he felt that he would soon die. But in verse 4 the psalmist “called to the LORD” (literally “the name of Yahweh”; for “name” see 5.11) and begged him to save him (Hebrew “save my nefesh”; see 3.2).

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Reyburn, William D. A Handbook on the Book of Psalms. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1991. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .