Psalms 35:7

KJV

For without cause have they hid for me their net [in] a pit, [which] without cause they have digged for my soul.

KJV (with Strong's)

For without cause {H2600} have they hid {H2934} for me their net {H7568} in a pit {H7845}, which without cause {H2600} they have digged {H2658}{H8804)} for my soul {H5315}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For unprovoked, they hid their net over a pit; unprovoked, they dug it for me.

Berean Standard Bible

For without cause they laid their net for me; without reason they dug a pit for my soul.

American Standard Version

For without cause have they hid for me their netina pit; Without cause have they digged a pit for my soul.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 35:7 is a poignant lament from David, expressing his profound anguish over the unprovoked and treacherous schemes of his adversaries. The verse vividly portrays his enemies as cunning hunters, laying hidden traps—a net in a pit—with the malicious intent to ensnare and destroy his very life, all without any justifiable cause on his part. This declaration of undeserved suffering underscores the depth of his plea for divine intervention and justice against such deceitful and destructive malice.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 35 is a fervent imprecatory psalm, a direct appeal to God for judgment and deliverance against David's enemies. It opens with an urgent plea for God to contend with those who contend with him, to take up shield and buckler and stand as his warrior (vv. [Psalms 35:1-3](/psalms/35-1 "Psalms 35:1-3 - David's Plea for Divine Intervention")). Verse 7, along with verse 8, details the specific nature of the enemies' malevolent actions: their hidden plots and their desire for David's destruction, setting the stage for David's subsequent requests for their downfall and his ultimate vows of praise to God for His anticipated salvation (vv. [Psalms 35:9-10](/psalms/35-9 "Psalms 35:9-10 - David's Vow of Praise")). This verse serves as a crucial description of the injustice that fuels David's desperate cry.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The psalm is generally attributed to David, reflecting periods of intense and unjust persecution in his life. Possible historical backdrops include his flight from King Saul (e.g., [1 Samuel 19](/1_samuel/19 "1 Samuel 19 - Saul Seeks to Kill David"), [1 Samuel 23](/1_samuel/23 "1 Samuel 23 - David Flees Saul")) or the rebellion led by his son Absalom (e.g., [2 Samuel 15](/2_samuel/15 "2 Samuel 15 - Absalom's Rebellion")). The imagery of "net in a pit" (מִכְמֹרֶת בְּשַׁחַת) is drawn directly from ancient hunting practices. Hunters would dig concealed pits, often camouflaged with branches or foliage, and sometimes place nets over them, to trap wild animals. This practice vividly illustrates the enemies' cunning, hidden, and deadly methods, designed for total incapacitation or destruction. The phrase "digged for my soul" further emphasizes that their aim was not merely superficial harm but the complete ruin or death of David himself.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within the psalm and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Undeserved Suffering and Innocence**, with the repeated phrase "without cause" (חִנָּם - *chinnam*) underscoring David's blamelessness in the face of this specific persecution, emphasizing the sheer malice of his foes. Secondly, it vividly portrays **Treachery and Deception**, as the "net in a pit" symbolizes the hidden, cunning, and insidious nature of the adversaries' plots, contrasting with open warfare. Thirdly, the phrase "digged for my soul" brings forth the theme of **Malicious Intent and Destruction**, signifying that the enemies' ultimate aim is not just to harm but to destroy David's very life or well-being. Finally, while not explicit in this verse, the entire psalm is a fervent **Appeal to Divine Justice**, as David cries out for God to intervene and reverse the wicked's schemes, trusting that God sees and will act on behalf of the oppressed.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Chinnam (חִנָּם, _chinnam'_):** This Hebrew adverb, translated as "without cause," "gratis," "for nothing," or "undeservedly," is crucial to the verse's meaning. Its repetition powerfully emphasizes the unprovoked and baseless nature of the aggression David faces. It highlights the moral bankruptcy of his enemies, as their actions are motivated purely by malice or self-interest, not by any legitimate offense David committed against them. This term underscores David's plea of innocence and the sheer injustice of his situation.
* **Mikmoret (מִכְמֹרֶת, _mikmoret'_):** Meaning "net," specifically a hunting net, this word evokes the imagery of entrapment and ensnarement. It suggests that the enemies' goal is to capture David, rendering him helpless and vulnerable, much like an animal caught in a snare. The use of "net" alongside "pit" paints a picture of a meticulously planned and inescapable trap.
* **Shachat (שַׁחַת, _shachat'_):** This noun can mean "pit," "destruction," or "corruption." In the context of hunting, it refers to a deep hole dug to trap animals. When combined with "net," it depicts a hidden, deadly snare. The broader meaning of "destruction" or "corruption" also subtly hints at the ultimate, destructive aim of the enemies' plot, which is to bring about David's ruin or death.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For without cause have they hid for me their net [in] a pit":** This clause establishes the unprovoked nature of the attack ("without cause") and describes the method of the enemies' malice. They are not confronting David openly but are employing deceptive and hidden tactics, like hunters concealing a net over a pit. This signifies a premeditated, cunning, and cowardly attempt to ensnare him, designed to catch him unaware and render him helpless.
* **"[which] without cause they have digged for my soul":** This second clause reiterates the "without cause" motif, reinforcing David's innocence and the sheer injustice of his suffering. The verb "digged" (חָפְרוּ, *chafru*) emphasizes the active, deliberate effort involved in preparing this trap. Crucially, the target is "my soul" (לְנַפְשִׁי, *l'nafshi*), which refers to David's very life, his being, or his vitality. This indicates that the enemies' ultimate aim is not just to cause harm but to utterly destroy him, to take his life or to bring about his complete ruin.

#### Literary Devices
The verse is rich in **Imagery** and **Metaphor**, primarily through the vivid depiction of "their net in a pit." This powerful **metaphor** transforms David's adversaries into cunning hunters and David himself into their unsuspecting prey, highlighting the treacherous and life-threatening nature of their schemes. The hidden aspect of the net and pit emphasizes the deceitful and underhanded tactics employed. Furthermore, the repeated phrase "without cause" functions as a potent instance of **Repetition** (specifically, **anaphora** if considered across the clauses, or simply emphatic repetition within the short verse). This **repetition** serves to underscore David's innocence and the sheer, unadulterated malice of his enemies, driving home the injustice of his situation. The two clauses also exhibit **Synthetic Parallelism**, where the second line expands upon and intensifies the thought presented in the first, reinforcing the idea of a deliberate, unprovoked, and destructive plot aimed at David's very existence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 35:7 powerfully articulates the experience of undeserved suffering at the hands of the wicked, a theme prevalent throughout Scripture. It speaks to the deep anguish of being targeted by malice and deception when one has given no legitimate provocation. Theologically, this verse affirms that God is a witness to such injustice; He sees the hidden plots and hears the cry of the innocent. It implicitly trusts in God's righteous character, believing that He will ultimately expose and reverse the schemes of those who act "without cause." This confidence in divine justice is a cornerstone of biblical faith, providing hope that the wicked will ultimately fall into the very traps they set for others.

* [Psalm 7:15](/psalms/7-15 "Psalm 7:15 - The Wicked Fall into Their Own Pit")
* [Psalm 9:15](/psalms/9-15 "Psalm 9:15 - The Nations Are Snared in the Work of Their Own Hands")
* [Proverbs 26:27](/proverbs/26-27 "Proverbs 26:27 - Whoever Digs a Pit Will Fall Into It")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 35:7 resonates deeply with anyone who has experienced betrayal, false accusations, or unprovoked attacks. It validates the profound pain of undeserved suffering and reminds us that our God is intimately acquainted with our plight. In a world where injustice often seems to prevail, David's lament provides a model for bringing our grievances, our hurt, and our righteous indignation directly before God. It encourages us not to internalize the bitterness or to seek personal vengeance, but to trust in a just God who sees, hears, and will ultimately act. This verse calls us to cultivate a heart that, like David's, appeals to divine justice, resting in the assurance that hidden schemes will be brought to light and that those who plot evil will ultimately reap what they sow. It also serves as a sobering warning against harboring ill will, plotting against others, or engaging in any form of "digging a pit" for someone "without cause," reminding us of the serious spiritual and practical consequences of such actions.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do you typically respond when you feel unjustly attacked or betrayed by others?**
* **In what subtle or overt ways might you be tempted to "dig a pit" for someone, even when you feel wronged?**
* **What does David's prayer in this psalm model for us regarding how to bring our pain and desire for justice before God?**
* **How can you cultivate greater trust in God's ultimate justice, even when circumstances seem unfair or when the wicked appear to prosper?**

### FAQ

**What does "without cause" mean in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "without cause" (Hebrew: *chinnam*) is central to Psalms 35:7. It means "for no reason," "undeservedly," or "gratis." In this context, it emphasizes David's innocence regarding the specific actions that provoked his enemies' malice. It's not a claim of general sinlessness, but a declaration that he had given his adversaries no legitimate grounds or provocation for their treacherous plots against him. This highlights the pure, unadulterated malice and unrighteousness of his foes, as their actions stemmed from envy, hatred, or self-interest rather than any offense David had committed. This emphasis on his blamelessness in the face of their specific persecution strengthens his appeal for divine justice, as seen also in [John 15:25](/john/15-25 "John 15:25 - They Hated Me Without Cause") where Jesus applies a similar concept to Himself.

**How does the imagery of "net in a pit" relate to ancient hunting?**

Answer: The imagery of "net in a pit" (מִכְמֹרֶת בְּשַׁחַת) directly refers to ancient hunting techniques. Hunters would dig deep, concealed pits along animal trails, often covering them with branches, leaves, or a net to camouflage the trap. Animals, unaware of the hidden danger, would fall into the pit and become ensnared by the net, making escape impossible. This metaphor vividly illustrates the cunning, hidden, and deadly nature of David's enemies' plots. They were not engaging in open warfare but were devising treacherous, secret schemes designed to catch David unaware, incapacitate him, and ultimately destroy his life or well-being. It speaks to the insidious and deceptive tactics employed by those who seek to harm others.

**Is it appropriate for believers to pray "imprecatory" psalms like Psalm 35?**

Answer: Yes, it is appropriate for believers to engage with and pray imprecatory psalms, though with careful understanding. Imprecatory psalms, like Psalm 35, are not expressions of personal vengeance or a call for believers to take justice into their own hands. Rather, they are fervent appeals to God's righteous justice in the face of profound injustice and oppression. They express a righteous indignation against evil and a deep trust that God, as the ultimate Judge, will indeed bring about justice and vindicate the innocent. They are a cry for God's kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth, which includes the defeat of evil and the protection of the righteous. These psalms align with the New Testament teaching that vengeance belongs to God (e.g., [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance is Mine, I Will Repay, Says the Lord")) and that believers should pray for God's will to be done, even against those who oppose His kingdom. They validate the pain of injustice while directing the desire for justice to the only One who can administer it perfectly.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 35:7 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. David's lament of suffering "without cause" foreshadows the perfect and innocent suffering of the Messiah. Jesus, the sinless Lamb of God, was persecuted, betrayed, and ultimately crucified, not for any sin of His own, but entirely "without cause" ([John 15:25](/john/15-25 "John 15:25 - They Hated Me Without Cause")). The hidden nets and pits dug for David find their parallel in the treacherous plots of the religious leaders and Judas's betrayal, who conspired in secret to ensnare Jesus ([Matthew 26:4](/matthew/26-4 "Matthew 26:4 - The Chief Priests Plotted to Arrest Jesus"), [Luke 22:3-6](/luke/22-3 "Luke 22:3-6 - Satan Enters Judas")). They "digged for His soul," seeking His death, and indeed brought Him to the cross. Yet, in a divine reversal, the "pit" dug for Jesus became the very means of salvation for humanity. His descent into death was not a defeat but a triumph, as He broke the power of sin and death, rising victorious from the grave ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). Thus, Christ's suffering, though "without cause" on His part, was profoundly *with cause* for us, as He bore the penalty for our sins ([1 Peter 2:24](/1_peter/2-24 "1 Peter 2:24 - Christ Bore Our Sins")). He is the ultimate vindication of the innocent sufferer, assuring all who suffer unjustly that God sees, understands, and will ultimately bring perfect justice through His Son.

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.

Cross-References

John 15:25

But [this cometh to pass], that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.

Psalms 140:5

The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the wayside; they have set gins for me. Selah.

Psalms 9:15

The heathen are sunk down in the pit [that] they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken.

Job 18:8

For he is cast into a net by his own feet, and he walketh upon a snare.

Psalms 64:4

That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.

Psalms 7:3

O LORD my God, if I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands;

Psalms 7:5

Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take [it]; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah.