Psalms 94:13

KJV

That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked.

KJV (with Strong's)

That thou mayest give him rest {H8252}{H8687)} from the days {H3117} of adversity {H7451}, until the pit {H7845} be digged {H3738}{H8735)} for the wicked {H7563}.

Complete Jewish Bible

giving him respite from days of trouble, till a pit is dug for the wicked!

Berean Standard Bible

to grant him relief from days of trouble, until a pit is dug for the wicked.

American Standard Version

That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, Until the pit be digged for the wicked.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 94:13 delivers a profound assurance of divine solace and ultimate justice, promising the righteous a profound "rest" from their periods of suffering and adversity. This tranquility is granted by God until the inevitable and divinely ordained judgment falls upon the wicked, who are destined for destruction. The verse thus encapsulates God's unwavering care for His people amidst trials, juxtaposing their promised peace with the certain downfall of those who defy Him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 94 is a fervent psalm of lament and imprecation, beginning with a passionate cry to God as the "God of vengeance" ([Psalms 94:1](/psalms/94-1 "Psalms 94:1 - God of Vengeance")) against the arrogant oppressors who disregard divine law and afflict the innocent. The psalmist details the wicked's boastful iniquity (vv. 2-7) before asserting God's omniscient awareness and ultimate sovereignty over human affairs, challenging those who deny His knowledge (vv. 8-11). Verse 12 then transitions to the blessedness of those whom the Lord disciplines and teaches from His law, setting the stage for the promise of rest and judgment found in verse 13. The psalm continues by affirming God's unfailing support for His people (vv. 14-15) and the psalmist's personal testimony of divine comfort amidst distress (vv. 16-19), culminating in a confident declaration of God's righteous judgment against the throne of iniquity (vv. 20-23).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for many psalms, including Psalm 94, often involves periods of national or individual distress, where the righteous experienced oppression from both internal and external forces. Israel's covenant relationship with God fostered a deep expectation of divine justice; obedience was believed to bring blessing, and wickedness, judgment. The imagery of "digging a pit" was a common ancient Near Eastern metaphor for setting a trap or preparing destruction, often used in the context of warfare or hunting. Culturally, the concept of "rest" (Hebrew: _nuach_) was multifaceted, encompassing physical cessation from labor, security from enemies, and a deep, internal peace derived from God's presence and covenant faithfulness. The psalm reflects the universal human experience of witnessing injustice and longing for God's intervention to set things right in a world that often seems to favor the wicked.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Psalms and broader biblical narrative. It highlights the theme of **Divine Justice**, affirming that God is not indifferent to evil but will ultimately judge the wicked, even if His timing seems delayed from a human perspective. It underscores **God's Sovereignty and Care** for His people, promising them "rest" even in the midst of "adversity," demonstrating His active provision of peace and security. The verse also sharply draws a **Contrast Between the Righteous and the Wicked**, revealing their distinct destinies: comfort and rest for the faithful, and inevitable destruction for the ungodly. This contrast serves to encourage **Patience and Trust** in God's perfect timing and righteous plan, as seen in other wisdom literature like [Proverbs 26:27](/proverbs/26-27 "Proverbs 26:27 - He who digs a pit will fall into it") and [Psalm 37:7](/psalms/37-7 "Psalm 37:7 - Rest in the Lord").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Rest (Hebrew, _nuach'_):** This word signifies more than mere cessation from physical labor; it implies a deep, profound tranquility, a settling, or a state of security and quietness. In this context, it refers to the inner peace and spiritual solace that God provides to His faithful, enabling them to endure "days of adversity" with a settled spirit, rather than the absence of external trouble.
* **Adversity (Hebrew, _ra'_):** Literally meaning "evil," this term encompasses trouble, distress, misfortune, and calamity. "Days of adversity" therefore denotes a prolonged period of hardship, suffering, or affliction, indicating the difficult circumstances from which God promises to provide rest.
* **Pit (Hebrew, _shachath'_):** This term frequently refers to a pitfall, a trap, a grave, or a place of destruction. It is often used metaphorically in the Old Testament to describe ruin, corruption, or the underworld (Sheol). Here, it powerfully symbolizes the inescapable and ultimate doom, judgment, and destruction awaiting the wicked.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity":** This clause reveals God's active and compassionate intervention on behalf of the one He disciplines (referencing the "man whom You discipline" in the preceding verse, [Psalms 94:12](/psalms/94-12 "Psalms 94:12 - Blessed is the man whom You discipline, O Lord")). The "rest" provided is not a removal from the circumstances of adversity but an internal, spiritual peace and security that enables endurance. It is a divine gift of tranquility that transcends the turmoil of external suffering.
* **"until the pit be digged for the wicked":** This phrase establishes the temporal boundary for the suffering of the righteous and simultaneously declares the certainty of the wicked's judgment. The passive voice "be digged" suggests a divinely ordained and prepared destiny. The "pit" symbolizes their inevitable downfall, ruin, or ultimate condemnation, emphasizing that God's justice, though it may appear delayed, is absolutely certain and will be executed at His appointed time.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. **Juxtaposition** is central, sharply contrasting the "rest" granted to the righteous with the "pit" awaiting the wicked, thereby highlighting their divergent destinies. The "pit" itself functions as a powerful **Metaphor** for destruction, ruin, and ultimate judgment, drawing on common ancient Near Eastern imagery of traps and graves. While the "pit" is "digged," the passive voice ("be digged") subtly implies a divine agency at work, even if not explicitly stated, underscoring God's **Sovereignty** over the fate of both the righteous and the wicked. The entire verse also serves as an example of **Antithesis**, presenting opposing ideas (rest vs. destruction, righteous vs. wicked) in parallel structure to emphasize the psalmist's core theological point.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 94:13 powerfully articulates the biblical tension between the present suffering of the righteous and the apparent prosperity of the wicked, resolving it with the unwavering promise of God's ultimate justice and comfort. Theologically, it affirms God's active involvement in human affairs, not merely as a distant observer but as a righteous Judge who cares for His people and will bring all injustice to account. The "rest" offered is a foretaste of the eschatological peace promised to believers, while the "pit" for the wicked foreshadows the final, inescapable judgment. This verse encourages patient endurance, reminding believers that their trials are temporary and serve a divine purpose, culminating in God's vindication and the wicked's certain downfall.

* [Proverbs 26:27](/proverbs/26-27 "Proverbs 26:27 - He who digs a pit will fall into it")
* [Psalm 37:7](/psalms/37-7 "Psalm 37:7 - Rest in the Lord")
* [Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No more death or sorrow")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 94:13 serves as a profound anchor for believers navigating a world rife with injustice and suffering. It calls us to cultivate a deep, internal "rest" in God's sovereignty, even when external circumstances are tumultuous and the wicked seem to prosper. This rest is not passive resignation but an active trust in God's perfect timing and His unwavering commitment to righteousness. It frees us from the burden of seeking personal vengeance, allowing us to release our grievances into the hands of the ultimate Judge, who "will repay" ([Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord")). The verse encourages us to find our peace not in the absence of adversity, but in the enduring presence and promises of God, knowing that He is actively working to bring about His just purposes, both for our good and for the ultimate defeat of evil.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I cultivate the "rest" God promises in the midst of my current "days of adversity"?**
* **Does the certainty of God's justice for the wicked change how I respond to injustice in my own life or in the world?**
* **What does it mean to patiently wait for the Lord to "dig the pit" for the wicked, rather than seeking immediate retribution?**

### FAQ
**What kind of "rest" is promised to the righteous in this verse?**

Answer: The "rest" promised in Psalms 94:13 (Hebrew: _nuach_) is not merely the absence of trouble or a cessation of physical activity. Instead, it signifies a deep, internal, spiritual peace and security that God provides to His people, even while they are still enduring "days of adversity." It is a profound tranquility of soul, a settling of the spirit that transcends challenging external circumstances. This rest is a divine gift, enabling the righteous to remain steadfast and confident in God's care and ultimate justice, rather than being overwhelmed by the turmoil of their suffering. It reflects a trust in God's sovereignty and His promise to sustain them until His purposes are fulfilled.

**Does "until the pit be digged for the wicked" imply that the wicked are actively digging their own destruction, or is it God's action?**

Answer: While the Bible often speaks of the wicked falling into the very traps they set ([Psalm 7:15](/psalms/7-15 "Psalm 7:15 - He made a pit and dug it out, and has fallen into the hole which he made")), the passive construction "until the pit be digged" in Psalms 94:13 suggests a divinely ordained and prepared outcome. It points to the certainty of judgment rather than solely the wicked's self-destructive actions. God, as the ultimate sovereign and righteous Judge, ensures that the "pit" of destruction is ready for those who persist in wickedness. It implies that their downfall is not accidental but a fixed, inevitable consequence under God's just governance, providing assurance to the righteous that their suffering has a definitive end point tied to God's ultimate triumph over evil.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 94:13 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "rest" promised to the righteous from their days of adversity is perfectly embodied in Christ's invitation: "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" ([Matthew 11:28](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest")). Through His finished work on the cross, believers are granted not just a temporary reprieve but eternal rest from the burden of sin, the condemnation of the law, and the ultimate power of death. He is our Sabbath rest ([Hebrews 4:9-10](/hebrews/4-9 "Hebrews 4:9-10 - There remains therefore a Sabbath rest for the people of God")), providing a peace that "surpasses all understanding" ([Philippians 4:7](/philippians/4-7 "Philippians 4:7 - The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding")). Furthermore, the "pit" dug for the wicked finds its ultimate expression in the final judgment and eternal separation from God. While humanity deserved this "pit" for its sin, Christ, the Lamb of God ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), bore the full wrath of God and descended into the "pit" of death and hell on our behalf, so that those who believe in Him might be spared. His resurrection is the definitive victory over that "pit," ensuring that for His followers, there is "no condemnation" ([Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No condemnation for those in Christ Jesus")). The certain judgment awaiting the wicked is ultimately fulfilled in Christ's role as the righteous Judge at the end of the age ([Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11 "Revelation 19:11-16 - Christ's Return and Judgment")), bringing to completion the promise of Psalms 94:13.

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

Psalms 55:23

But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.

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.

2 Peter 2:9

The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

Habakkuk 3:16

¶ When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops.

Revelation 14:13

¶ And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed [are] the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

Isaiah 26:20

¶ Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.

Isaiah 26:21

For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.