Read Psalm 124.

The problem of contempt and ridicule in the previous Psalm seems to pale in comparison with whatever is going on in Ps. 124. Men have risen up against the pilgrims (v2).  They are for a time trapped as birds in the snare of a fowler (v7), terminology that usually brings to mind Satan, the evil one himself.  The difficulty is especially critical because it threatens to overwhelm the soul (v4f).

Remember: the problems can overwhelm us, but they are also the only way we can grow deeper in knowing God.  We only know the all-wise God when we have no idea what to do.  We only know the all-powerful God when we are weak.  We only know God our Savior when we are burdened by sin and guilt.  Without trials we know about God but we are not growing to know Him.

Snares or traps usually work on a simple basis: the trap is set with bait that appeals to what the "fowler" is after.  It may be a color, an odor, or a taste.  It does require that the sought-after animal leave its safety and enter a danger area.

Satan's traps are like that.  For example, the beautiful woman snare (1 Sam. 18:21; Prov 5:3-4) uses the beautiful woman as bait and appeals to the man's youthful lusts to draw him into the trap.  The fear of man trap (Prov 29:25) uses an intimidating relationship as bait and counts on a person's desire for safety to draw them to destruction.  Instead of staying on the path where the Creator is our Help the pilgrim takes the path of least resistance.  Or there's the spiritual pride trap (1 Tim. 3:6) where an immature person is given significant spiritual responsibility.  The new leader, drawn by the pride of life, takes the bait, assuming he is mature, and thus becomes arrogant and fails morally.

There are many of these mentioned in Scripture.  What you see in these few is ...

1.    The pilgrim plays a part in that he takes the bait.

2.    The consequences for the pilgrim are, in fact, devastating, having the power to overwhelm the soul and devour him.

But in this the pilgrim now learns something that could not otherwise be learned.  He learns that the Maker of Heaven and Earth has not left him (v1-2).  His Help (v8) has broken the snare (v7).  We do not even see a cry for mercy in this Psalm.  What we hear from the pilgrim is praise (v6) that God has not given him what he deserves but has graciously delivered him.  If God be for us who can be against us?  (Rom 8:31)