Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 142:3

"When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, Thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walk Have they hidden a snare for me." — Psalms 142:3 (ASV)

When my spirit was overwhelmed within me - Luther renders this, “When my spirit was in distress.” The Hebrew word rendered “overwhelmed” means, in Kal, to cover as with a garment; then, to be covered as with darkness, trouble, sorrow; and then, to languish, to faint, to be feeble (Psalms 77:3; Psalms 107:5). The idea here is that, in his troubles, he had no vigor, no life, no spirit. He did not see how he could escape from his troubles, and he had no heart to make an effort.

Then you knew my path - You did see all. You did see the way that I was treading, and all its darkness and dangers, implying here that God had made it an object to mark his course; to see what way out there might be—what way to escape from the danger. It was in no sense concealed from God, and no danger of the way was hidden from him. It means much to us to feel when we are in danger or difficulty that God knows it all, and that nothing can be hidden from him.

In the way where I walked - In my path; the path that I was treading.

Have they secretly laid a snare for me - They treated me as a man would treat his neighbor, who should spread a snare, or set a trap, for him in the path which he knew he must take. The word rendered “have secretly laid” means to hide, to conceal. It was so concealed that I could not perceive it. They did it unknown to me. I neither knew that it was laid, nor where it was laid. They meant to spring it upon me at a moment when I was not aware, and when I should be taken by surprise. It was not open and direct warfare; it was stealth, cunning, trick, art.