Meaning of Psalms 119:85

This verse from Psalm 119, a psalm that extols the virtues and importance of God's law, paints a vivid picture of the psalmist's struggle against malicious opposition. The "arrogant" (Hebrew: zedim) are those who are proud, haughty, and rebellious, often acting with a sense of self-sufficiency and disregard for divine authority. They "dig pits to trap" the psalmist, a metaphor for their deceptive and harmful schemes, their plots and machinations designed to ensnare and bring him down. The critical element here is that these actions are explicitly stated to be "contrary to your law" (Hebrew: torateka), underscoring that the opposition faced is not merely personal animosity but a direct affront to God's righteous commands and principles. This implies that the psalmist's adherence to God's law is precisely what makes him a target for the wicked, whose ways are inherently opposed to divine order and justice.

Context and Background

Psalm 119 is an extended acrostic psalm, with each of its 22 stanzas dedicated to a letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and each verse within a stanza beginning with that letter. The overarching theme is the praise and profound love for God's Torah (law, instruction, teaching). Throughout the psalm, the psalmist expresses his commitment to God's statutes, his reliance on them for guidance, and his suffering at the hands of enemies who persecute him precisely because of his faithfulness. This verse, falling within the stanza beginning with the Hebrew letter Pe (פ), continues this lament and plea for divine intervention against those who actively oppose God's will. The "arrogant" are recurring antagonists in the psalms, representing the ungodly who flourish in their wickedness and often seem to prevail over the righteous.

Key Themes and Messages

The central themes are divine law as a bulwark against wickedness, the persecution of the faithful, and the contrast between the ways of the arrogant and the ways of God. The verse highlights that those who reject God's law often resort to underhanded and destructive tactics to undermine those who uphold it. The psalmist's assertion that the arrogant's actions are contrary to God's law serves as a theological judgment; their schemes are not only personally harmful but are fundamentally in opposition to the very fabric of divine justice and righteousness. This establishes a clear moral dichotomy: the righteous are guided by God's law, while the wicked, in their arrogance, devise ways that directly violate it.

Spiritual Significance and Application

Spiritually, this verse speaks to the reality that living a life aligned with God's principles can attract opposition from a world that often operates on different values. The "pits" dug by the arrogant represent the temptations, lies, and societal pressures that can pull believers away from their commitment to God. The verse encourages believers to recognize that such opposition is not a sign of their failure but often a consequence of their faithfulness. It calls for discernment to identify the deceptive schemes of the ungodly and a steadfast reliance on God's law as a guide and protection. The faithful are reminded that their struggle is not against flesh and blood alone but against spiritual forces and ideologies that are antithetical to God's will.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This theme resonates throughout Scripture. In the Old Testament, prophets like Jeremiah often faced intense opposition for speaking God's truth. In the New Testament, Jesus himself warned his disciples that they would be hated by the world because they did not belong to the world (John 15:18-19). The Apostle Paul also describes spiritual warfare, where believers wrestle "against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:12). The arrogance of the wicked and their schemes against the righteous is a recurring motif from Cain's envy of Abel to the persecution of early Christians.

Analogies

One analogy for the "arrogant digging pits" is a hunter setting traps for prey. The hunter, in his arrogance, believes he is superior and can outwit his quarry. Similarly, the wicked, in their pride, devise cunning plans to ensnare the righteous, believing they can overcome them. Another analogy is that of a builder whose foundation is built on sand; their entire structure is inherently unstable and destined to collapse because it is contrary to the principles of sound engineering, just as the schemes of the arrogant are contrary to the stable foundation of God's law.

Relation to Other Verses

• Psalm 119:110: "The wicked have set a trap for me, but I have not strayed from your commands." This verse directly echoes the sentiment of 119:85, reinforcing the idea of persecution and the psalmist's continued adherence to God's law.
• Proverbs 1:11-19: This passage describes how sinners plot to shed blood and lie in wait for the innocent, illustrating the deceptive and violent nature of the "arrogant" and their schemes.
• Matthew 7:24-27: Jesus' parable of the wise and foolish builders highlights the contrast between building one's life on the solid rock of obedience (God's law) versus the shifting sand of disobedience. The schemes of the arrogant are like building on sand, ultimately doomed to failure.
• 1 Peter 5:8: "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." This verse speaks to the pervasive nature of opposition, akin to the hidden "pits" dug by the arrogant, requiring vigilance and reliance on God.