“Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.“
Psalm 91:3 KJV
First, let’s focus on a few key words.
DELIVERS / natsal / to snatch away, rescue, save
Webster’s 1828: “To free, release, as from restraint, to set at liberty.”
SNARE / pach / a bird trap
Webster’s 1828: “An instrument for catching animals, particularly fowls, by the leg. It consists of a cord or string with slip knots in which the leg is entangled.”
FOWLER / yaqush / to ensnare, lay a trap, to catch
DEADLY / havvah / mischief, calamity, desire, ruin
PESTILENCE / deber / plague, reflects themes of judgment and widespread calamity that affects large populations.
There is much to unpack in this one verse alone. I became focused on the phrase “snare of the fowler” and knew I needed to dig a bit deeper to understand it.
In His sermon “The Snare of The Flower”, Charles Spurgeon writes this regarding Psalm 91:3,
“Satan is the fowler; he has been so and is so still; and if he does not now attack us as the roaring lion, roaring against us in persecution, he attacks us as the adder, creeping silently along the path, endeavoring to bite our heel with his poisoned fangs, and weaken the power of grace and ruin the life of godliness within us.”
He then goes on to list 5 points concerning this snare.
- The fowler’s snare is intimately connected with secrecy.
To most Christians, the enemy will not typically show up in full force, making his presence known. He works best in secrecy, preying on private vulnerabilities.
- The snare of the fowler is generally noted for its adaptation.
The enemy is perceptive when it comes to man’s weaknesses. The trap that he lays for me, may not work on you. He knows how to trip me up.
- The fowler’s snare is frequently connected with pleasure, profit, and advantage.
Most Christians would not walk into an obvious trap, but perhaps one that is hidden beneath the disguise of fun and innocent.
“Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;”
Hebrews 11:25
- Sometimes the fowler very wisely employs the force of example.
Just as a hunter uses a decoys to catch his prey, so the enemy uses his own version of a decoy to ensnare God’s people.
We must daily pray for wisdom and discernment for “…Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8
Have courage today, for
“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”
1 John 4:4
