OET interlinear PSA 18:5

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

חֶבְלֵ֣י שְׁא֣וֹל סְבָב֑וּ⁠נִי

(Some words not found in UHB: they,encompassed_me cords_of death and,torrents_of destruction they,overwhelmed_me )

Here, Sheol, the dwelling place of the dead according to Hebrew culture, represents death itself. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [The cords of death surrounded me]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

חֶבְלֵ֣י שְׁא֣וֹל סְבָב֑וּ⁠נִי

(Some words not found in UHB: they,encompassed_me cords_of death and,torrents_of destruction they,overwhelmed_me )

David is speaking as if Sheol or death actually had cords that it could use to bind him. This suggests he felt trapped in a situation where he thought he would die. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation. You could also use plain language. Alternate translation: [I thought I was bound to die]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

קִ֝דְּמ֗וּ⁠נִי מ֣וֹקְשֵׁי מָֽוֶת

(Some words not found in UHB: they,encompassed_me cords_of death and,torrents_of destruction they,overwhelmed_me )

David speaks here of snares of death as if death were a hunter that could set traps for people. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation. You could also use plain language. Alternate translation: [death had me in its clutches]