Psalm 119 85

Psalm 119:85 kjv

The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law.

Psalm 119:85 nkjv

The proud have dug pits for me, Which is not according to Your law.

Psalm 119:85 niv

The arrogant dig pits to trap me, contrary to your law.

Psalm 119:85 esv

The insolent have dug pitfalls for me; they do not live according to your law.

Psalm 119:85 nlt

These arrogant people who hate your instructions
have dug deep pits to trap me.

Psalm 119 verses

Psalm 119 85 Meaning

Psalm 119:85 describes the distress of the psalmist who faces malicious and pre-meditated opposition from arrogant individuals. These proud adversaries actively devise schemes ("dug pitfalls") intended to trap and harm him. The crucial contrast highlighted is that these evil actions are entirely contrary to God's holy and righteous law, which stands as the ultimate standard of justice and truth. The verse expresses the psalmist's plea for divine intervention against unrighteous plots.

Psalm 119 85 Context

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, a majestic acrostic poem (alphabetical by stanzas), entirely devoted to celebrating God's Word, which it refers to by various synonyms like law, decrees, statutes, commandments, precepts, rules, warnings, and judgments. The entire psalm showcases the psalmist's deep devotion to God's law as a guide for life, a source of comfort in affliction, and a light in darkness.

Verse 85 falls within the "Peh" (פ) section (verses 81-88). This section particularly emphasizes the psalmist's weariness and deep yearning for God's salvation amidst intense suffering and persecution. He describes feeling "consumed" with longing (v. 81) and enduring "reproaches" from adversaries (v. 84). Within this context, verse 85 directly identifies one specific method of their persecution: active, cunning, and lawless schemes aimed at his destruction. It underlines that the psalmist's suffering is not due to his own sin, but rather the unrighteous malice of others who disregard divine standards. Historically, the setting could be a time of intense personal affliction or state-sponsored opposition to devout adherence to God's law, with those in power or social standing operating outside divine justice. This implies a subtle polemic against any societal or religious system that would allow such malevolent acts to stand unchallenged, asserting God's law as the supreme, unchangeable standard against which all human actions are judged.

Psalm 119 85 Word analysis

• The proud (גֵּאִים, ge'im): This term denotes those who are haughty, arrogant, and insolent, often defying God's authority and wisdom. In biblical thought, "pride" (גָּאֶה, ga'eh, singular) is a fundamental rebellion against God and often characterizes the wicked. It indicates their self-reliance and disregard for divine truth, seeing themselves as above accountability.
• have dug (כָּרוּ, karu): This verb signifies a deliberate, pre-meditated action, suggesting careful and hidden preparation. It implies malicious intent rather than a spontaneous act. Metaphorically, it describes laying a trap or devising a destructive scheme.
• pitfalls (שִׁיחוֹת, shichot): Plural of שׁוּחָה (shuchah), meaning "pit" or "destruction." While it can refer to a literal pit dug to trap animals or people, here it functions metaphorically to represent deceptive snares, traps, or destructive schemes. The imagery suggests a hidden danger designed to cause an unsuspecting victim to fall into ruin.
• for me (לִי, li): This pronoun personalizes the attack, showing that the psalmist is the specific target of these malicious schemes. It conveys the directness and individual nature of the persecution.
• which are not (אֲשֶׁר לֹא, asher lo): "Asher" is a relative pronoun ("which" or "that"), and "lo" is the negation "not." This phrase introduces the critical moral judgment of the psalmist.
• according to Your law (כְתוֹרָתֶךָ, k'toratecha):
  • according to (כְּ, k'): A preposition meaning "in agreement with," "according to," or "in the manner of." It sets up a standard.
  • Your law (תּוֹרָתֶךָ, toratecha): From תּוֹרָה (torah), referring to God's divine instruction, teaching, and revelation. It encompasses all of God's will for humanity, not merely a set of rules, but the path to life and righteousness. This emphasizes that the proud's actions are in direct violation of God's holy standards.

Words-group analysis:

• "The proud have dug pitfalls for me": This phrase highlights the intentional and deceptive nature of the enemies' actions. They are not merely opposing the psalmist openly but are actively planning and preparing secret schemes to cause his downfall. The use of "proud" contrasts sharply with the psalmist's humility and reliance on God, indicating that the source of the persecution is human arrogance.
• "which are not according to Your law": This declaration is a powerful statement of the divine basis for judging the actions of the proud. Their schemes are not only personally harmful to the psalmist but, more importantly, are a direct affront to God's righteous and perfect moral order. This phrase underscores the psalmist's conviction that God's law is the absolute standard of truth and justice, implicitly appealing to God for intervention because His very nature and will are being defied.

Psalm 119 85 Bonus section

The "Peh" section of Psalm 119 (verses 81-88) collectively emphasizes the psalmist's suffering from oppressors who act without regard for God's law (v. 84, 86, 87), and his longing for God's saving power. Verse 85, by specifically mentioning the "proud" digging "pitfalls," highlights not only their opposition but also their chosen methods – stealth, deceit, and treachery. This contrasts sharply with the openness and righteousness embodied by walking in God's law. The Hebrew term torah (law) is not just legislative; it represents divine instruction and teaching—God's revealed will for living a blessed life. When the proud act contrary to it, they are acting against divine order itself, which deepens the psalmist's anguish and strengthens his implicit appeal to God for justice.

Psalm 119 85 Commentary

Psalm 119:85 vividly paints a picture of intense spiritual and personal conflict. The psalmist, a devout follower of God's law, finds himself targeted by adversaries characterized by their arrogance and malice. These "proud" individuals meticulously plot ruinous "pitfalls," hidden traps designed to cause his downfall. The true gravity of their actions, however, is not merely the personal harm they intend, but that their entire methodology and goals are utterly inconsistent with "Your law"—God's perfect, righteous, and holy revelation. This verse serves as a lament and an appeal, highlighting the profound dissonance between the wicked acts of humanity and the unchanging, just standards of the Divine. It underscores the suffering of the righteous precisely because they adhere to a law that their persecutors despise, leading them into conflict with those who live outside divine bounds. The verse ultimately rests on the psalmist's deep conviction that God's law is the unwavering plumb line by which all actions, especially malicious ones, will be judged and ultimately found wanting.