Psalms 119:85
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Psalms 119:85
85 The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law.
Chapter Context
Psalms 119 is a poetic and liturgical chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of sacrifice, grace, discipleship. Written during various periods (c. 1000-400 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Temple worship utilized these compositions across various periods of Israel's history.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-176: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it demonstrates God's faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Psalms and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Psalms 119:85
85 The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law.
Analysis
Enemies of the Righteous: The Hebrew word זֵדִים (zedim, "proud") appears frequently in Psalm 119 (verses 21, 51, 69, 78, 85, 122), referring to those who arrogantly reject God's law. These are not merely self-confident people but those who presumptuously oppose God and His faithful followers. Hunting Metaphor: The phrase "have digged pits for me" (Hebrew כָּרוּ־לִי שִׁיחוֹת, karu-li shichot) uses imagery of hunters digging concealed traps for animals, suggesting premeditated malice and deception.
The contrast "which are not after thy law" (Hebrew אֲשֶׁר לֹא כְתוֹרָתֶךָ, asher lo khetoratekha) indicates these enemies operate outside God's moral order. Psalm 119 Context: This verse is part of the eleventh stanza (verses 81-88), which emphasizes the psalmist's faithfulness despite severe persecution. Theological Theme: The psalmist's confidence rests not in his own ability to avoid traps but in God's law as protection and guidance.
Historical Context
Psalm 119 Composition: While authorship and date are debated, many scholars attribute this psalm to David or place it in the post-exilic period. The elaborate acrostic structure (each eight-verse stanza begins with successive Hebrew letters) suggests careful composition during a time when meditation on Torah was central to Jewish piety.
Ancient Hunting Practices: Pit traps were common hunting methods in the ancient Near East. Hunters would dig deep holes, cover them with branches and leaves, and wait for unsuspecting prey to fall in. This imagery would have been immediately understood by ancient readers as depicting deadly, concealed danger. The metaphor appears elsewhere in Scripture (Psalms 7:15, 9:15, 57:6, Proverbs 26:27), always depicting the wicked's schemes against the righteous.
Reflection
- Who are "the proud" in Psalm 119, and what characterizes their opposition to God's law and God's people?
- What does the metaphor of digging pits reveal about the nature of opposition faced by faithful believers?
- How does the psalmist's focus on God's law provide protection against the schemes of the proud?
- What is the significance of the contrast between the proud's methods (not after thy law) and the psalmist's commitment to God's word?
- How can modern believers apply this psalm's wisdom about facing opposition from those who reject God's standards?
Word Studies
- Law: תּוֹרָה (Torah) H8451 - Law, instruction
Cross-References
- Parallel theme: Psalms 7:15, 35:7, 119:78, Proverbs 16:27, Jeremiah 18:20