Psalm 35:7

Listen to Psalm 35:7
7 For 1without cause 2they hid their net for me; without cause they dug 3a pit for my life. [a]

Psalm 35:7 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 35:7

For without cause have they hid for me their net [in] a pit,
&c.] This is said in allusion to the custom of digging pits, and putting nets into them, for the catching of wild beasts; and covering them with straw or dust, or such like things, as Jarchi observes, that they might not be discerned; and which intends the secret and crafty methods taken by David's enemies to ensnare him and destroy him; though he had given them no cause to use him in such a manner; which is an aggravation of their sins, and a reason of the above imprecations, as well as of what follows: and in the same manner, and without any just cause, Christ and his members have been treated by wicked men, and therefore their damnation is just, and will be inevitable:

[which] without cause they have digged for my soul;
which is added for further explanation's sake, and to aggravate their sin, and to show the justness of their punishment.

Unlock Deeper Insights: Get Over 20 Commentaries with Plus! Subscribe Now

Psalm 35:7 In-Context

5 Let them be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the Lord driving them away!
6 Let their way be dark and slippery, with the angel of the Lord pursuing them!
7 For without cause they hid their net for me; without cause they dug a pit for my life.
8 Let destruction come upon him when he does not know it! And let the net that he hid ensnare him; let him fall into it—to his destruction!
9 Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord, exulting in his salvation.

Cross References 3

  • 1. 35:7 See Ps. 69:4
  • 2. 35:7 See Job 18:8
  • 3. 35:7 See Ps. 7:15

Footnotes 1

  • [a] 35:7 The word 'pit' is transposed from the preceding line; Hebrew 'For without cause they hid the pit of their net for me; without cause they dug for my life'
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025