Psalm 118 11

Psalm 118:11 kjv

They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.

Psalm 118:11 nkjv

They surrounded me, Yes, they surrounded me; But in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.

Psalm 118:11 niv

They surrounded me on every side, but in the name of the LORD I cut them down.

Psalm 118:11 esv

They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side; in the name of the LORD I cut them off!

Psalm 118:11 nlt

Yes, they surrounded and attacked me,
but I destroyed them all with the authority of the LORD.

Psalm 118 verses

Psalm 118 11 Meaning

Psalm 118:11 powerfully declares the triumph of the psalmist over overwhelming hostile forces through the divine intervention and authority of the LORD. Despite being completely surrounded and hemmed in by enemies, the psalmist expresses unwavering confidence and asserts definitive victory, affirming that the decisive "cutting off" of these adversaries occurs by the inherent power and authoritative presence associated with the name of Yahweh alone. It speaks to God's ultimate supremacy over all opposition and His unwavering commitment to those who trust in Him.

Psalm 118 11 Context

Psalm 118 is a pivotal psalm within the Hallel group (Psalms 113-118), traditionally sung during major Jewish festivals, especially Passover. It is a psalm of thanksgiving, moving from deep distress to joyous praise for God's enduring lovingkindness and powerful deliverance. The "I" in the psalm can represent an individual (such as a king, a priest, or any faithful Israelite who has experienced salvation) or the nation of Israel personified, celebrating its history of divine redemption from enemies. Verse 11 continues the narrative of the psalmist's personal struggle against overwhelming opposition, echoing the sentiment from previous verses (e.g., Ps 118:5, 7, 10) which speak of being pressed by adversaries. This verse functions as a climax, showcasing not merely survival but a decisive, God-empowered counter-action and victory. The surrounding context highlights the stark contrast between trusting in human power, which ultimately fails, and taking refuge in the LORD, who always provides unfailing deliverance. This also serves as a polemic against the ancient Near Eastern gods and rulers who boasted of their might, positioning Yahweh as the sole and supreme deliverer.

Psalm 118 11 Word analysis

• They: The Hebrew הֵמָּה (hemmah) points to generic, unspecified adversaries. These could be foreign nations besieging Israel, personal enemies of the king, or even metaphorical struggles. The vagueness underscores that the specific nature of the threat is less important than the source of victory over it.
• surrounded me: The Hebrew סָבְבוּנִי (savvûniy) is derived from the verb סָבַב (savav), meaning "to turn, go around, surround, encompass." This term vividly depicts a military siege or being entirely hemmed in, suggesting an inescapable and dire situation.
• surrounded me on every side: This is the repetition and intensification of the phrase סָבְבוּנִי סָבְבוּנִי. The Hebrew twice repeats סָבְבוּנִי (savvûniy) for powerful emphasis, highlighting the completeness and overwhelming nature of the encirclement. It is not just partial pressure but total siege.
• but: The Hebrew כִּי (kî), a conjunction, functions here adversatively, signifying a sharp contrast or turning point. It emphatically introduces the decisive shift from the descriptive predicament to the declaration of victory, underscoring the unexpected and divinely enabled reversal.
• in the name: The Hebrew בְּשֵׁם (beshem) combines the preposition 'be' (in/with) and the noun שֵׁם (shem), meaning "name." In biblical thought, "the name" is far more than a label; it embodies the very presence, character, authority, power, and essence of the individual or deity it represents. To act "in the name of" God means to act by His authority, with His backing, and by His power.
• of the LORD: The Hebrew יהוה (Yahweh) is the unutterable, personal, covenantal name of God. This identifies the specific, unique, and faithful God of Israel as the exclusive source of the psalmist's power and victory. It stresses that the deliverance is uniquely Yahweh's doing, not reliant on human or pagan deities.
• I cut them off!: The Hebrew אֲמִילַם (amilam) is an active verb derived from the root מוּל (mul), which literally means "to circumcise" or "to cut off." Metaphorically, in this context, it signifies utterly destroying, decisively defeating, nullifying, or eliminating an enemy. It is a strong term for rendering an adversary powerless or bringing about their complete destruction, just as unholy elements or hostile forces are "cut off" from Israel or God's presence.

Word-group analysis

• They surrounded me, surrounded me: This repetition underscores the psalmist's acute distress and the overwhelming nature of the attack. It evokes an image of inescapable danger and utter vulnerability, setting the stage for the dramatic display of divine intervention. It highlights the vast difference between human limitation and divine power.
• but in the name of the LORD: This phrase represents the critical turning point of the verse and indeed, the psalm. It establishes the decisive shift from mortal helplessness and impending doom to divine intervention and ultimate triumph. This concise phrase powerfully redirects the narrative and the reader's focus from the immense threat to the infinite power and authority available through God.
• in the name of the LORD I cut them off!: This triumphal declaration concludes the verse with a powerful statement of victory. It demonstrates that the invocation and authority of Yahweh’s name lead to effective action. The psalmist, empowered by God, actively "cuts off" the enemies, not merely escaping them, but decisively vanquishing them, proving the omnipotence and faithfulness of the LORD in real-time.

Psalm 118 11 Bonus section

• The placement of this verse within Psalm 118, a Hallel Psalm, reinforces its significance for the worshipping community. It transforms a personal lament into a communal declaration of faith and thanksgiving, especially relevant for Passover as it reflects Israel's deliverance from Egyptian bondage.
• The Hebrew verb אֲמִילַם (amilam), while translated as "cut them off" or "destroy," holds a literal root meaning of "to circumcise." While it evolved metaphorically to mean decisive defeat or destruction in military contexts, some scholars suggest a nuanced implication of stripping away an enemy's power or identity, rendering them utterly nullified, akin to how idolatrous practices or unholy things are "cut off." This adds a deeper layer of covenantal victory—enemies are not just defeated but neutralized by the God of the Covenant.
• The emphasis on "the name of the LORD" contrasts directly with pagan practices of appealing to many gods or relying on physical armies (Ps 118:8-9), strongly advocating for monotheistic trust in Yahweh alone.
• This verse embodies the "faith triumphing over fear" narrative, providing a spiritual principle applicable to any circumstance where overwhelming opposition is encountered. It moves from descriptive fear to confident declaration of divine enablement.

Psalm 118 11 Commentary

Psalm 118:11 articulates a profound truth central to biblical faith: God's ultimate supremacy over all adversity. The repeated depiction of encirclement by enemies (They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side) powerfully conveys a situation of extreme peril and human inability to escape. It paints a picture of being entirely hemmed in, leaving no room for human strategy or might to prevail. Yet, it is precisely in this state of overwhelming threat that the divine counter-action is declared: "but in the name of the LORD I cut them off!" The shift marked by "but" is dramatic, asserting that what is humanly impossible is divinely certain.

"In the name of the LORD" is the core of this victory. It signifies reliance not on mere human power or earthly weapons, but on the very essence, character, authority, and active power of God Himself, Yahweh, the covenant-keeping God. It’s an act of faith that acknowledges God as the sole source of deliverance. The action of "cutting them off" (which carries connotations of utterly destroying or incapacitating) demonstrates a complete and decisive victory. This is not simply escape or survival but a triumph initiated and enabled by God, executed through His faithful servant. The verse assures believers that even when confronted with seemingly insurmountable odds, divine power, invoked through faith in God's name, guarantees absolute victory over all adversaries.

• Practical application example: When facing overwhelming anxieties that "surround" one's thoughts, crying out "in the name of the LORD" in prayer can bring about a sense of peace and a decisive "cutting off" of their hold, demonstrating reliance on God's sovereignty rather than one's own efforts.