The psalmist continues by describing how his enemies, like hunters, are trying to capture him with a net and a pit; but he knows that they will only harm themselves. For similar language see 7.15; 9.15; 31.4; 35.7-8.

Good News Translation “I am overcome with distress” in line b translates “my nefesh is bowed down” (see Revised Standard Version). New Jerusalem Bible, however, on the basis of later Hebrew usage, translates “to ensnare me,” while Dahood, from the Akkadian, gets the meaning “a noose for my neck” (also Bible en français courant). New English Bible has “but I bow my head to escape from it” (that is, “the net” of the preceding line); similarly Traduction œcuménique de la Bible. It seems best to follow the sense expressed by Revised Standard Version and say something like Good News Translation: “I have lost all hope” or “I am helpless.”

In some languages where the use of nets for catching animals is unknown, the expression set a net for my steps can be rendered, for example, “my enemies have set a trap to catch me.” In case the idea of catching a person by a trap will be unclear, the translator can add a simile; for example, “my enemies have set a trap to catch me like a hunter sets a trap to catch an animal.”

In some languages it may be necessary to make the purpose of the pit explicit; for example, “they dug a pit to make me fall into it.”

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 .