The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
The fear of man bringeth a snare - entrapping men in danger, guilt, and punishment. The father of the faithful, through fear of man, twice denied his wife, Genesis 12:1-20; Genesis 20:1-18. So Isaac, Genesis 26:7. 'Be afraid of nothing more than the detestable cowardice of a selfish and unbelieving heart' (Venn). (John 7:13; John 9:22; John 12:42-43.)
But whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe - Hebrew, shall be set on high (cf. margin, Proverbs 18:10; Isaiah 33:16). He who feareth God always (Proverbs 28:14), need never fear man.