the proud. This metaphor is taken from the mode in which wild beasts are caught in the East; deep pits are dug in the earth, and slightly covered over with reeds, turf, etc., so as not to be discerned from the solid ground; and the animals attempting to walk over them, the surface breaks, they fall in, and are taken alive. Thus the Psalmist's enemies employed craft as well as power in order to effect his ruin.

Psalm 119:78 Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in your precepts.

Psalm 7:15 He made a pit, and dig it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made.

Psalm 35:7 For without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit, which without cause they have dig for my soul.

Psalm 36:11 Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked remove me.

Proverbs 16:27 An ungodly man digs up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.

Jeremiah 18:20 Shall evil be recompensed for good? for they have dig a pit for my soul. Remember that I stood before you to speak good for them...

which

Psalm 58:1,2 Do you indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do you judge uprightly, O you sons of men...