What does "dig pits" symbolize in Psalm 119:85, and how does it apply today? Setting the Verse in Front of Us “The arrogant have dug pits for me in violation of Your law.” (Psalm 119:85) What “dig pits” Symbolized for the Psalmist • A common ancient hunting tactic—scooping out deep holes, covering them with brush, then waiting for an unsuspecting animal to fall in. • In Scripture, the image moves from hunting to treachery: people secretly setting traps for the righteous (Psalm 7:15; 35:7; 57:6). • For the psalmist, the “arrogant” (proud, law-breaking oppressors) are hunters; he is the prey. Their pits represent calculated, covert plots designed to ruin him spiritually, socially, or physically. Supporting Passages • Psalm 7:15—“He digs a pit and hollows it out; he falls into the hole he has made.” • Proverbs 26:27—“Whoever digs a pit will fall into it; and he who rolls a stone, it will come back on him.” • Jeremiah 18:20—“They have dug a pit for my life.” All reinforce that digging pits equals secret, malicious schemes against God’s people—and that God ultimately turns those schemes back on the schemers. How the Image Speaks to Us Today • Schemes still exist. They now appear in dishonest business deals, slander, online harassment, or legislation that sidelines biblical convictions. • Pride still fuels them. The same “arrogant” spirit rebels against God’s law and targets those who keep it. • God’s Word still exposes them. Knowing Scripture helps believers identify modern pits—ideas or practices that look harmless but violate truth. • The pattern of divine justice remains. Those who dig pits risk falling into their own traps; God is not mocked (Galatians 6:7). Practical Takeaways • Stay alert—spiritual discernment is essential. Compare every invitation, narrative, or opportunity with God’s revealed Word. • Refuse retaliation—entrust justice to the Lord, who lets no snare escape His notice (Romans 12:19). • Pray for wisdom—ask to recognize pits before stepping into them (James 1:5). • Maintain integrity—walking blamelessly keeps us from giving enemies legitimate cause (1 Peter 2:12). • Encourage one another—warn fellow believers of hidden dangers and remind them of God’s faithfulness to deliver. The ancient metaphor of dug pits still speaks: false security, secret hostility, and moral pitfalls surround us, yet the unchanging God who authored Psalm 119 safeguards those who cling to His law today. |
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