Psalms 7:15

KJV

He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch [which] he made.

KJV (with Strong's)

He made {H3738} a pit {H953}, and digged {H2658} it, and is fallen {H5307} into the ditch {H7845} which he made {H6466}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He makes a pit, digs it deep, and falls into the hole he made.

Berean Standard Bible

He has dug a hole and hollowed it out; he has fallen into a pit of his own making.

American Standard Version

He hath made a pit, and digged it, And is fallen into the ditch which he made.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 7:15 powerfully encapsulates the principle of divine retribution, illustrating how the malicious schemes of the wicked inevitably backfire upon their perpetrators. Through vivid imagery of digging and falling into one's own snare, the verse proclaims God's unwavering justice, assuring believers that evil intentions ultimately lead to the self-destruction of those who devise them, rather than harming their intended victims.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 7 is a deeply personal lament and prayer of David, appealing to God as a righteous judge for vindication against his enemies. The psalm opens with David's cry for deliverance from persecution (verses 1-2), followed by a strong assertion of his innocence and a plea for God to judge him according to his righteousness (verses 3-5). He then calls upon God to arise in judgment against the nations and his adversaries (verses 6-9), affirming God's righteous character (verses 10-11). Verses 12-13 describe God's readiness to punish the wicked, setting the stage for verses 14-16, which vividly depict the self-destructive nature of the wicked's own machinations. Verse 15, specifically, serves as the climactic image of this self-inflicted downfall, showing the direct consequence of the evil conceived in verse 14 and returning upon the wicked in verse 16.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The superscription attributes Psalm 7 to David, concerning "Cush the Benjamite." While Cush is not explicitly identified elsewhere, this suggests a specific historical antagonist, likely a member of Saul's tribe who falsely accused or persecuted David. This context places the psalm within the broader narrative of David's life, marked by periods of flight and opposition from those who sought his downfall, often through deceit and treachery. The imagery of digging a pit or setting a snare was a common metaphor in the ancient Near East for devising malicious plots against an enemy. Such pits were literally dug to trap animals or ambushing humans, making the metaphor powerfully resonant with the real-life dangers and methods of warfare or personal vendetta in that era. The concept of divine justice ensuring that such traps backfired was a deeply held belief, reflecting the moral order understood to be upheld by God.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 7:15 powerfully contributes to several key themes within the Psalter and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Retribution**, asserting God's active role as a righteous judge who ensures that evil deeds do not go unpunished. This provides assurance that God sees and will act righteously on behalf of the oppressed, as seen in [Psalm 9:7-8](/psalms/9-7 "Psalm 9:7-8 - God as Eternal Judge"). Secondly, the verse vividly illustrates **Poetic Justice**, where the very instrument of intended harm becomes the means of the perpetrator's own undoing. The imagery of the pit highlights the principle that the trap set for another becomes the downfall of its creator, echoing the broader biblical concept of [sowing and reaping](/galatians/6-7 "Galatians 6:7 - The Principle of Sowing and Reaping"). Finally, it speaks to the **Self-Destruction of Wickedness**, implying that evil, by its very nature, is inherently unstable and ultimately self-defeating. The plans of the wicked, though designed to harm others, frequently collapse on themselves, a truth reiterated in [Proverbs 26:27](/proverbs/26-27 "Proverbs 26:27 - The Pit Digged for Others").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Pit (Hebrew, _bor'_):** This term refers to a cistern, well, or a dungeon. In this context, it signifies a deep hole, often dug for the purpose of trapping or imprisoning. It emphasizes the physical, tangible nature of the trap being prepared.
* **Digged (Hebrew, _karah'_):** This verb means "to dig" or "to excavate." Its inclusion highlights the deliberate, intentional, and laborious effort the wicked person expends in preparing their malicious scheme. It's not an accidental trap but a carefully constructed one.
* **Ditch (Hebrew, _shachat'_):** Closely related to _bor_, this word often carries a stronger connotation of ruin, destruction, or corruption, sometimes even referring to the pit of the grave or Sheol. Its use here intensifies the sense of inescapable doom and the destructive end awaiting the wicked, underscoring that the "ditch" is not merely a hole but a place of ruin.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He made a pit":** This initial clause establishes the active, deliberate intention of the wicked individual. The "pit" represents a scheme, a trap, or a malicious plot meticulously conceived and prepared to ensnare an innocent party. It emphasizes the premeditated nature of the evil act.
* **"and digged it":** This phrase reinforces the intentionality and effort involved. It's not a passive act but an active, laborious undertaking. The wicked person invests time, energy, and thought into crafting their destructive plan, highlighting their commitment to causing harm. The repetition of the idea of making and digging underscores the thoroughness of their malicious preparation.
* **"and is fallen into the ditch [which] he made":** This is the climactic and most impactful clause. It vividly portrays the ironic and just reversal of fortune. The very trap, the "ditch" (a deeper, more destructive pit), that the wicked person meticulously prepared for another becomes their own undoing. This outcome is not accidental but a direct, inevitable consequence of their own actions, a powerful demonstration of divine justice ensuring that evil recoils upon its originator.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 7:15 employs several potent **literary devices** to convey its message. The most prominent is **Imagery**, specifically the vivid picture of digging a pit and falling into it. This concrete, relatable image makes the abstract concept of divine justice tangible and memorable. **Irony** is central to the verse's impact, as the wicked person's carefully constructed trap becomes their own downfall, a direct reversal of their malicious intent. This ironic twist is a hallmark of **Poetic Justice**, where the punishment perfectly fits the crime, often using the very means of the offense against the offender. Furthermore, the **Repetition** of the idea of "making" and "digging" the pit, followed by falling into "the ditch which he made," emphasizes the self-inflicted nature of the wicked's demise and underscores the inevitability of the consequence. This rhetorical reinforcement amplifies the verse's message of divine retribution.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 7:15 serves as a foundational declaration of God's unwavering justice and the inherent moral order of His creation. It assures believers that God is not a passive observer of human wickedness but an active, righteous judge who ensures that evil deeds ultimately recoil upon their perpetrators. This principle reflects God's character as one who upholds righteousness and will not allow injustice to triumph indefinitely. It provides immense comfort and vindication for those who suffer at the hands of the wicked, reminding them that vengeance belongs to God and that He will ultimately set all things right. The verse underscores the biblical truth that actions have consequences, and that God’s perfect justice ensures a just outcome for all, even when it appears that evil is prospering.
* [Proverbs 26:27](/proverbs/26-27 "Proverbs 26:27 - The Pit and the Stone")
* [Ecclesiastes 10:8](/ecclesiastes/10-8 "Ecclesiastes 10:8 - He Who Digs a Pit")
* [Psalm 9:15-16](/psalms/9-15 "Psalm 9:15-16 - The Nations Trapped in Their Own Snares")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 7:15 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers, serving as both a source of comfort and a stern warning. In a world where injustice often seems to prevail, this verse provides a powerful anchor for our faith, reminding us that God is actively involved in upholding His moral order. It encourages us to trust in His perfect timing and righteous judgment, rather than seeking personal retribution or growing despondent in the face of evil. For those who might be tempted to engage in malicious schemes or deceit, the verse stands as a stark warning: the very traps we set for others often become our own undoing. It calls us to live with integrity, knowing that our actions, whether good or evil, carry inherent consequences that God will ultimately oversee. This truth liberates us from the burden of seeking vengeance and empowers us to focus on living righteously, confident that God will deal with all injustice in His perfect way.
#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of "digging a pit" apply to modern forms of malice or deceit?**
* **In what ways does trusting in God's justice (as described in this verse) free us from the temptation to seek personal revenge?**
* **How can this verse encourage us when we feel overwhelmed by injustice in the world around us?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse mean that every bad thing that happens to someone is a direct result of their own actions?**

Answer: While Psalms 7:15 powerfully illustrates the principle of divine retribution where malicious actions boomerang on the perpetrator, it's important not to interpret this as a simplistic, one-to-one correlation for every misfortune. The Bible also teaches about suffering for righteousness' sake ([1 Peter 3:14](/1_peter/3-14 "1 Peter 3:14 - Suffering for Righteousness")), the fallenness of the world ([Romans 8:22](/romans/8-22 "Romans 8:22 - Creation Groans")), and God's sovereign purposes that may include trials for growth ([James 1:2-4](/james/1-2 "James 1:2-4 - Testing of Your Faith")). This verse specifically addresses the *intentional malice* of the wicked and God's just response to it, assuring that such schemes will ultimately fail and harm their originators.

**How does this verse relate to the concept of "karma"?**

Answer: While there's a superficial similarity in the idea of actions having consequences, the biblical concept of justice, as seen in Psalms 7:15, differs fundamentally from the Eastern concept of karma. Karma is an impersonal, automatic cosmic law of cause and effect, often tied to reincarnation. Biblical justice, however, is personal, stemming from the character of a righteous, sovereign God who actively judges and intervenes in human affairs. It's not an automatic spiritual mechanism but the deliberate action of a divine Judge who upholds His moral law and ensures that His will ultimately prevails. The "falling into the ditch" is a direct act of God's justice, not an impersonal cosmic force.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 7:15 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the verse speaks of the wicked falling into their own traps, the cross of Christ reveals God's perfect justice in an entirely new light. Humanity, ensnared by sin and destined for death, had dug its own spiritual "pit" ([Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned")). Yet, in a divine reversal, the ultimate trap set by Satan and human wickedness—the crucifixion of God's Son—became the very means of their undoing and our salvation. The powers of darkness thought they had triumphed by putting Christ to death, but through His resurrection, Christ "disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross" ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Powers")). The "ditch" intended for God's redemptive plan became the grave from which Christ rose victoriously, conquering sin and death once and for all ([1 Corinthians 15:55-57](/1_corinthians/15-55 "1 Corinthians 15:55-57 - Victory Over Death")). Thus, the principle of the wicked falling into their own snare is magnified in the cosmic defeat of evil through Christ's ultimate sacrifice and triumph, assuring us that all evil, no matter how meticulously planned, will ultimately collapse before the righteous reign of the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.