Psalms 116:3The cords of death surrounded me, the pains of Sheol got a hold of me. I found trouble and sorrow.
The setting
Ancient Israel, ~1000 BC. A person facing mortal danger, possibly illness or enemies, crying out in Jerusalem or its vicinity, modern-day Israel.
The emotion here: suffocating terror facing imminent death
The original word
chebel (חֶבֶל) — ropes or snares that bind and strangle, not just sadness
Why it matters
Sheol was understood as the shadowy underworld where all dead went, not hell
Read with care
What most readers miss in Psalms 116:3
This isn't metaphorical sadness — the psalmist was literally dying
Common misconceptionPeople think this is about emotional depression, but the psalmist was literally dying — 'cords of death' means death was physically wrapping around him like ropes.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Psalms 116:3
Bible Genome reading
Psalms 116:3 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Psalms 116:3 comes from the book of Psalms, written during the United Kingdom period. These words are attributed to anonymous. The dominant emotion in this verse is grieving, with a comfort power of 80% and a tone that is lamenting. It belongs to the psalm genre of biblical literature. Key themes include death, suffering, desperation. Notable phrases: cords of death; pains of Sheol; trouble and sorrow. This verse is a prayer.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same grieving
“By the sweat of your face will you eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. For you are dust, and to dust you…”
— Genesis 3:19
“Jesus wept.”
— John 11:35
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning?”
— Psalms 22:1
“They divide my garments among them. They cast lots for my clothing.”
— Psalms 22:18
“for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;”
— Romans 3:23
Your reflection
What does Psalms 116:3 mean to you, today?
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