They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth;
They have now compassed us in our steps. So the Qeri' reads х cªbaabuwnuw (H5437)]. But the harder reading of the Khethibh (text) is less likely to be due to correctors х cªbaanuwniy (H5437)], 'They have compassed ME.' The change of number from "our" (our steps) to 'me,' is due to the speaker being the ideal representative of all the godly. So the singular is resumed, Psalms 17:13, "my."
Now. The present time was a crisis when the danger had come to its height; therefore it was the time for God to interpose.
They have set their eyes bowing down to the earth - as those do who lay snares. The English version agrees with the Hebrew, and with Psalms 17:12, and Psalms 10:8-10.