Psalm 118 10

Psalm 118:10 kjv

All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them.

Psalm 118:10 nkjv

All nations surrounded me, But in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.

Psalm 118:10 niv

All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the LORD I cut them down.

Psalm 118:10 esv

All nations surrounded me; in the name of the LORD I cut them off!

Psalm 118:10 nlt

Though hostile nations surrounded me,
I destroyed them all with the authority of the LORD.

Psalm 118 verses

Psalm 118 10 Meaning

Psalm 118:10 proclaims the steadfast confidence of the Lord's people amidst overwhelming opposition. Despite being entirely surrounded by hostile nations, the speaker—often understood as Israel, the king, or prophetically the Messiah—declares certain victory, asserting that it is solely "in the name of the LORD" that they will decisively defeat their adversaries. This verse highlights the profound reliance on God's covenant power and authority as the exclusive source of triumph against any enemy.

Psalm 118 10 Context

Psalm 118 is a psalm of thanksgiving, victory, and praise, traditionally sung as part of the Egyptian Hallel (Psalms 113-118) during significant Jewish festivals such as Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. It describes a collective experience of profound distress and deliverance, often interpreted as Israel's journey through trials to triumph. The "nations" surrounding the speaker refer to the historical gentile adversaries who constantly threatened Israel's existence. In a deeper theological sense, this psalm, particularly its references to "the stone the builders rejected," is widely recognized as messianic, pointing to the trials and ultimate exaltation of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Therefore, the verse expresses the unshakeable faith that despite overwhelming odds from earthly or spiritual enemies, divine intervention and strength rooted in the very nature and authority of God will secure decisive victory.

Psalm 118 10 Word analysis

• All nations (כָּל־גּוֹיִם - kol goyim):

  • Kol: Hebrew for "all," "every," signifying universality or completeness.
  • Goyim: Hebrew for "nations," "peoples," or often, "Gentiles." In this context, it emphasizes the multitude and diverse nature of the enemies surrounding the speaker, highlighting that the threat was not from one foe but from widespread opposition, typical of Israel's geopolitical struggles. The phrase conveys the overwhelming, unified front of all worldly powers aligned against God's chosen people.

• surrounded me (סַבּוּנִי - sabbuni):

  • From the verb sabab, meaning "to turn about," "to go around," "to surround," "to encompass."
  • The form suggests a continuous or repeated action, emphasizing the persistent and complete encirclement, implying a state of being trapped or under siege with no apparent escape. It speaks to the direness of the situation from a human perspective, where the psalmist felt utterly outnumbered and vulnerable.

• In the name of the LORD (בְּשֵׁם יְהוָה - beshem YHWH):

  • Beshem: Hebrew for "in the name of," meaning "by the authority of," "by the power of," "because of the character of." This phrase indicates not merely an invocation of a name, but acting in alignment with, by the permission of, and relying upon the full character, power, and essence of the one whose name is used.
  • YHWH (יְהוָה): The tetragrammaton, the unutterable proper name of God, revealing Him as the covenant-keeping, self-existent, eternally active God. It refers to the personal, redemptive, and supreme God of Israel, not a generic deity. Using this Name signifies reliance on His revealed power, promises, and His very being. It points to the divine initiative and sole sufficiency in securing victory, directly contrasting the might of nations.

• I will cut them off (כִּי אֲמִילַם - ki amilam):

  • Ki: An emphatic particle, often translated as "surely," "indeed," or "for" (in the sense of affirmation). It reinforces the certainty of the psalmist's declaration.
  • Amilam: From the verb mul, which can mean "to circumcise" (to cut off the foreskin) or, more broadly, "to cut off," "to sever," "to destroy completely."
  • In this context, it implies decisive, complete, and irreversible defeat, a total removal or annihilation of the adversaries. It speaks to a thorough and unassailable victory, brought about by God's power, rendering the enemies utterly impotent. The verb choice signifies not merely a repulse but an absolute end to their threat.

• Word-Group Analysis:

  • "All nations surrounded me": This phrase paints a picture of absolute helplessness from a human vantage point. The global scale of opposition (all nations) signifies an insurmountable challenge if reliance were on human strength. It establishes the vastness of the threat and prepares for the contrasting power source.
  • "In the name of the LORD I will cut them off": This phrase represents the divine antidote to the dire situation. It directly attributes the ability to overcome the overwhelming enemy not to human strategy, numbers, or might, but entirely to the authority and power inherent in the Name of YHWH. The certainty (I will) and the decisiveness (cut them off) of the victory are founded exclusively on God's character and active intervention. This forms a sharp polemic against relying on pagan gods, idols, or human alliances prevalent in the ancient world, affirming YHWH's exclusive supremacy and sufficiency.

Psalm 118 10 Bonus section

The repetitive nature of "All nations surrounded me" across verses 10-12 in Psalm 118 underscores the intensity and persistence of the enemy's attack, creating a crescendo of distress that ultimately magnifies the singular source of victory: "in the name of the LORD." This repetition not only emphasizes the reality of the threat but also functions to amplify the psalmist's defiant faith. The "circumcision" connotation of mul might suggest a spiritual cutting off—a judgment that metaphorically removes the enemies from the realm of the living or from positions of power, much as a covenant cutting ritual separates. This psalm is cited multiple times in the New Testament regarding Jesus' ministry, passion, and resurrection, implicitly casting Christ as the "me" who was surrounded by hostile powers (both physical and spiritual) and yet achieved ultimate victory through His divine name and authority, paving the way for the church's enduring triumph in His Name.

Psalm 118 10 Commentary

Psalm 118:10 powerfully asserts that even when faced with overwhelming and comprehensive opposition from "all nations," victory is not only possible but guaranteed when resting entirely on the divine power and authority of YHWH. This verse conveys profound spiritual courage, moving beyond fear or strategic analysis to an absolute confidence in God's active presence. It serves as a declaration that human or global might is irrelevant against the One true God. The "cutting off" speaks to a complete, final, and decisive triumph, assuring that the enemy's power will be utterly dismantled. This truth finds its ultimate expression in Christ, who, surrounded by hostile forces and the powers of sin and death, achieved absolute victory through the Name of His Father, overcoming all spiritual and physical adversaries, ensuring triumph for His followers.