# General Information:

The person who composed this psalm continues to speak.

# The cords of death surrounded me

The writer speaks of death as if it were a person who could capture him and bind him with ropes. See how you translated this in [Psalms 18:4](../018/004.md). Alternate translation: "I felt like I was about to die" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

# the snares of Sheol confronted me

The writer speaks of "Sheol," the place of the dead, as if it were a person who could trap him with snares. Alternate translation: "I felt as if I were ready to enter the grave" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])