You asked

what common activities in ancient israel would have made 'digging a pit' and 'rolling a stone' such clear metaphors for consequences?

The passage, plainly, with room to sit with it.

Psalm 7:15-16

“He digs a pit, and scoops it out, and falls into the hole which he has made. His mischief shall return on his own head. His violence shall come down on his own crown.”

This psalm is a personal prayer from David, asking God for justice against those who persecute him. He expresses his confidence that God sees the wrongdoing of his enemies and will ultimately bring about a righteous outcome.

What does it feel like to experience a situation where someone's harmful actions ultimately backfire on them?

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Read alongside it

Proverbs 26:27
This proverb echoes the same idea of a trapsetter falling into their own snare.
Ecclesiastes 10:8
This verse also speaks of the danger of digging a pit or breaking through a wall, connecting actions to unintended consequences.
Matthew 7:1-2
Jesus speaks of judging others and how the measure we use will be measured back to us, a New Testament parallel to this principle of return.

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