Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 119:85

"The proud have digged pits for me, Who are not according to thy law." — Psalms 119:85 (ASV)

The proud – Those in high life, or of exalted rank. See the notes at Psalms 119:51.

Have dug pits for me – See the notes at Psalms 7:15. Compare Psalms 35:7; Psalms 57:6; Psalms 94:13.

Which are not after your law – The word “which” here refers not to the pits, but to the proud. They who have done this are people who do not regard your commands; people who are open and public offenders. It is that class of people with whom I have to contend – those who defy all the laws of God; men high in rank, who wield great power, and who have no regard for the law of God in their conduct. Even they have sought my destruction in the meanest way possible – by covert arts, by underhanded means, by digging pits, as they would for wild beasts.