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 vividly illustrates the divine principle of poetic justice, asserting that the malicious schemes and traps devised by the wicked inevitably rebound upon their creators. Through the powerful imagery of a self-dug pit, the verse proclaims God's active and unwavering righteousness, assuring believers that evil intentions culminate not in the harm of the innocent, but in the self-destruction and downfall of those who conceive them.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 7 is a deeply personal and impassioned prayer of lament and appeal for justice from David, who faces false accusations and persecution. The psalm opens with David's desperate plea for deliverance and vindication from his adversaries, asserting his innocence before God (verses 1-5). He then calls upon God, the righteous Judge, to rise up and execute judgment against his enemies (verses 6-9), affirming God's perfect character and His just dealings with humanity (verses 10-11). The subsequent verses (12-13) describe God's readiness to wield His instruments of judgment against the unrepentant wicked. This sets the immediate stage for verses 14-16, which graphically depict the self-destructive nature of the wicked's own machinations. Verse 15, specifically, serves as the climactic image within this sequence, portraying the direct and ironic consequence of the evil conceived in verse 14, and leading into the final declaration of the wicked's downfall in verse 16.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The superscription attributes this psalm to David, specifically "concerning Cush, a Benjamite." While Cush is not explicitly identified elsewhere in Scripture, this detail points to a specific historical antagonist, likely a member of King Saul's tribe who falsely accused or slandered David. This places the psalm within the tumultuous period of David's life marked by flight, betrayal, and relentless opposition from those seeking his ruin, often through deceit and treachery. The imagery of digging a pit or setting a snare was a common and potent metaphor in the ancient Near East for devising malicious plots. Such pits were literally dug by hunters to trap wild animals or by enemies to ambush humans, making the metaphor powerfully resonant with the real-life dangers and methods of warfare or personal vendetta prevalent in that era. The concept of divine justice ensuring that such traps backfired was a deeply ingrained belief, reflecting the understanding that a moral order, upheld by God, governed the universe.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 7:15 powerfully contributes to several foundational 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 profound assurance that God sees injustice and will act righteously on behalf of the oppressed, as seen in the declaration that God "judges the peoples with equity" throughout [Psalm 9](/psalms/9 "Psalm 9 - God's Righteous Judgment"). 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 and the Stone").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Pit (Hebrew, _bôwr'_):** From H953, 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, imprisoning, or even burying. It emphasizes the physical, tangible nature of the trap being prepared, a concealed danger designed for another's downfall.
* **Digged (Hebrew, _châphar'_):** From H2658, this primitive root means "to pry into," "to delve," or "to explore." 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, implying a thorough and often secretive process of plotting.
* **Ditch (Hebrew, _shachath'_):** From H7845, this word is derived from a root meaning "to sink down" and 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 ultimate ruin and self-inflicted demise.

#### 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, highlighting the calculated effort behind the wrongdoing.
* **"and digged it":** This phrase reinforces the intentionality, diligence, and laborious effort involved in the wicked person's plot. It's not a passive thought but an active, painstaking undertaking. The wicked person invests time, energy, and thought into crafting their destructive plan, underscoring their commitment to causing harm and the thoroughness of their malicious preparation.
* **"and is fallen into the ditch [which] he made":** This is the climactic and most impactful clause, portraying the ironic and just reversal of fortune. The very trap, the "ditch" (a deeper, more destructive pit, often associated with ruin), 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 with striking clarity and impact. The most prominent is **Imagery**, specifically the vivid and concrete picture of a person digging a pit and then falling into it. This relatable visual makes the abstract concept of divine justice tangible and memorable, allowing the reader to easily grasp the consequence. **Irony** is central to the verse's power, as the wicked person's carefully constructed trap becomes their own downfall, a direct and unexpected 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 profoundly 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/9-15-16 "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, and the wicked appear to prosper, 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 apparent evil. For those who might be tempted to engage in malicious schemes, deceit, or underhanded tactics to achieve their ends, 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, transparency, and love, 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, ensuring that the wicked ultimately fall into the ditch they themselves have made.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of "digging a pit" apply to modern forms of malice, deceit, or even subtle forms of manipulation in our relationships or society?**
* **In what ways does trusting in God's justice (as described in this verse) free us from the temptation to seek personal revenge or harbor bitterness when wronged?**
* **How can this verse encourage us to persevere in righteousness when we feel overwhelmed by injustice or when it seems that evil is winning?**

### 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 or suffering. The Bible also teaches about suffering for righteousness' sake, as seen in [1 Peter 3:14](/1_peter/3-14 "1 Peter 3:14 - Suffering for Righteousness"), the fallenness of the world and its inherent brokenness ([Romans 8:22](/romans/8-22 "Romans 8:22 - Creation Groans")), and God's sovereign purposes that may include trials for growth and character development ([James 1:2-4](/james/1-2 "James 1:2-4 - Testing of Your Faith")). This verse specifically addresses the *intentional malice* and wicked plotting of individuals and God's just response to it, assuring that such schemes will ultimately fail and harm their originators, not their intended victims.

**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 typically understood as an impersonal, automatic cosmic law of cause and effect, often tied to reincarnation and the accumulation of merit or demerit. Biblical justice, however, is deeply personal, stemming directly from the character and will 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 perfect justice and intervention, not an impersonal cosmic force.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 7:15 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive 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, cosmic light. Humanity, ensnared by its own sin and destined for spiritual death, had indeed dug its own spiritual "pit" through rebellion against God ([Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned")). Yet, in a breathtaking 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 glorious 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 and Authorities")). The "ditch" of the grave, intended to hold God's redemptive plan captive, became the very place from which Christ rose victoriously, conquering sin and death once and for all ([1 Corinthians 15:55-57](/1_corinthians/15-55-57 "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 who takes away the sin of the world](/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.

Cross-References

Job 4:8

Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.

Psalms 141:10

Let the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst that I withal escape.

Proverbs 26:27

¶ Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.

Psalms 35:7

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

Psalms 35:8

Let destruction come upon him at unawares; and let his net that he hath hid catch himself: into that very destruction let him fall.

Ecclesiastes 10:8

He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.

Ecclesiastes 10:9

Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; [and] he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.