What are the pangs of Sheol in Psalm 116:3?

Response

Psalm 116, one of the Hallel Psalms, is a prayer of gratitude and admiration in which the psalmist reflects on God’s healing rescue from a life-threatening sickness. He recounts his painful experience on the brink of death: “The traps of death surrounded me; the pains of Sheol took hold of me; I experienced trouble and sorrow” «The sorrows of death surrounded me, And the pains of hell took hold of me: I found trouble and sorrow. », (Psalm 116:3, ESV).

In the original Hebrew language, the term for “pain” means “an oppressive state of physical, mental, social, or economic hardship, distress, affliction, or anguish.” This term is found in only two other verses in the Bible: Psalm 118:5 and Lamentations 1:3.

Sheol is a Hebrew word used to describe “the grave, the pit, or the tomb.” In the Bible, Sheol refers to the underworld or the realm of the deceased (see Job 14:13;1 Kings 2:6). Some older Bible translations inaccurately render Sheol as “hell.” Psalm 89:48 asks, “What man can live and never see death? Who can deliver his soul from the power of Sheol?” (ESV). Death is inevitable for every individual, but hell is not. The New Testament equivalent of Sheol is hades (Greek), which also denotes “the place of the dead.”

The psalmist’s suffering is so intense that he believes the realm of the dead has come to claim him. The ESV mentions “the pains of Sheol”; other translations read “the distress of the grave” (NIV), “the terrors of the grave” (NLT), and “the horrors of the grave” (GW). In his fearful and tormented state, the psalmist is convinced that his moment of death has arrived. Later, he proclaims, “For you, Lord, have rescued me from

Death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling” «For thou hast delivered my soul from death, Mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. », (Psalm 116:8).

While an ancient Hebrew cantor might say, “The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me,” a modern-day worshiper may sing, “Death stared me in the face, hell was hard on my heels” (The Message), or “I was wound in the wrappings of death; the terror of dying and the grave had a grip on me” (The Voice). One thing is sure: the psalmist was convinced he was as good as dead before the Lord saved and delivered him.

In the New Testament, Peter refers to “the pangs of death” in connection with Christ’s resurrection: “God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it” «whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. », (Acts 2:24, ESV). Since Jesus Christ is the resurrection and life «Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. », (John 14:6,25) « These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. », (John 14:6,25), death and the underworld have no hold on Him and no power to defeat Him.