Psalm 118:7 kjv
The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.
Psalm 118:7 nkjv
The LORD is for me among those who help me; Therefore I shall see my desire on those who hate me.
Psalm 118:7 niv
The LORD is with me; he is my helper. I look in triumph on my enemies.
Psalm 118:7 esv
The LORD is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.
Psalm 118:7 nlt
Yes, the LORD is for me; he will help me.
I will look in triumph at those who hate me.
Psalm 118 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Rom 8:31 | If God be for us, who can be against us? | God's active support assures victory. |
| Isa 41:10 | Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed... | Divine presence removes fear. |
| Deut 31:6 | Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid... the LORD your God goes with you. | God's presence guarantees help. |
| Ps 27:1 | The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? | God as source of courage and security. |
| Ps 46:1 | God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. | God's immediate and powerful assistance. |
| Ps 56:4 | In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? | Explicitly parallels not fearing man. |
| Ps 118:6 | The LORD is on my side; I will not fear... | Immediate context of the preceding verse. |
| Prov 29:25 | The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe. | Contrasts fear of man with trust in God. |
| Luke 12:4 | Do not fear those who kill the body... | Do not fear physical harm from men. |
| Heb 13:6 | The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me? | Direct quotation, emphasis on God's help. |
| Jer 1:8 | Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the LORD. | God's presence for divine protection. |
| 2 Chron 32:7-8 | Be strong and courageous... with us is the LORD our God to help us. | Trust in God over human armies. |
| John 16:33 | In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. | Christ's victory empowers believers against earthly trials. |
| Acts 4:19 | Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. | Boldness against human authority. |
| Matt 10:28 | And do not fear those who kill the body... fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. | Focuses on God's ultimate power over human limits. |
| Isa 51:12-13 | I, even I, am He who comforts you. Who are you that you are afraid of man... | God questions the rationality of fearing man. |
| Nah 1:7 | The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows those who trust in Him. | God as a reliable fortress for the trusting. |
| 1 Cor 15:57 | But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. | Ultimate victory comes from God. |
| Phil 4:13 | I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. | Divine strength overcomes human weakness. |
| Ps 3:6 | I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. | Courage against overwhelming human opposition. |
| Ps 91:1-2 | He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High... will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress." | God as a place of absolute safety. |
| Ps 124:1-2 | If it had not been the LORD who was on our side... then people would have swallowed us alive. | Acknowledges God's intervention in deliverance. |
Psalm 118 verses
Psalm 118 7 Meaning
Psalm 118:7 declares a profound statement of divine assurance and unshakeable courage. It reveals a steadfast conviction that the Almighty LORD, the covenant-keeping God of Israel, actively supports and stands alongside the psalmist. This divine presence utterly removes any fear of human adversaries or their potential harm, emphasizing the absolute insignificance of finite human power when contrasted with God's infinite might and protective care. It is a testimony to complete trust in God's sovereignty over all earthly opposition.
Psalm 118 7 Context
Psalm 118 is a Hallel Psalm (Psalms 113-118), typically sung during major Jewish festivals, particularly Passover. It is a triumphant song of thanksgiving for God's steadfast love and powerful deliverance, likely celebrating a great national victory or deliverance from intense peril. The "rejected stone" passage (Ps 118:22) is particularly significant, prophetically pointing to the Messiah. Verse 7, "The LORD is on my side," follows a declaration in verse 6, "The LORD is on my side; I will not fear," strengthening and expanding upon that conviction. The psalmist has faced significant enemies ("all nations surrounded me," v. 10; "they surrounded me like bees," v. 12) and affirms God's constant presence and aid throughout these trials, moving from initial distress to confident praise. Historically, Israel often faced overwhelming enemy forces, requiring a profound reliance on God alone. This verse served as an antidote to the prevalent fear of mighty empires and their armies, proclaiming God's sovereignty over all human powers.
Psalm 118 7 Word analysis
- The LORD: Hebrew: Yahweh (יְהוָה - YHWH). This is the personal, covenantal name of God, revealing His self-existent, eternal, and unchanging nature. It signifies His absolute authority, faithfulness to His promises, and active involvement in His creation and among His people. The use of Yahweh here deepens the assurance; it's not a generic deity but the specific God who has proven Himself mighty in Israel's history.
- is on my side: Hebrew: li (לִי). Literally "to me" or "for me." It expresses active participation and endorsement. It's not merely passive presence but active advocacy, support, and protection. It denotes a deep, personal alliance, where God's infinite power is now aligned with the psalmist's cause. This signifies God taking a deliberate stance, committing His strength on behalf of the individual.
- I will not fear: Hebrew: lo-iyra' (לֹא אִירָא). The "lo" is a strong negation, making it a resolute declaration, not a hesitant hope. The word yira' implies a dread or terror, a debilitating fear. This is an assertive act of trust, a firm choice not to be consumed by apprehension or dismay, because the divine partnership negates all human threats.
- what can man do: Hebrew: mah ya'aseh 'adam. Mah (מַה) is an interrogative particle, forming a rhetorical question. Ya'aseh (יַּעֲשֶׂה) means "he can do" or "he will do." The question itself serves as a profound affirmation of God's power and human limitation.
- man: Hebrew: 'adam (אָדָם). This word typically refers to humanity in its frailty, mortality, and limitations. It stands in stark contrast to Yahweh, the eternal, all-powerful God. This word choice emphasizes the inherent weakness and transient nature of human threats compared to the omnipotence and everlasting nature of God.
- unto me?: Hebrew: li (לִי). Again, "to me" or "against me." It reiterates the direct challenge of human threats. The same word li used for God being for me now defines the human opposition against me. This sets up a clear dichotomy: God for me, man against me, but man is utterly impotent against God.
Psalm 118 7 Bonus section
The concept expressed in Psalm 118:7 finds ultimate fulfillment in Christ Jesus. While the psalmist expresses individual confidence in God, the New Testament often applies this Psalm's themes of deliverance and God's favor to Christ and His body, the Church. The Christian gains this assurance not merely as an individual but through identification with Christ, who defeated death and all human and spiritual adversaries. Believers, through faith in Christ, inherit God's favor and protection, enabling them to stand fearlessly against spiritual forces and earthly pressures. The confidence here is not a defiant human will, but a peace derived from acknowledging God's omnipotence and absolute sovereignty over all created beings. The verse stands as a declaration of theological truth that fosters radical trust, turning potential fear into profound peace.
Psalm 118 7 Commentary
Psalm 118:7 is a profound affirmation of divinely-rooted courage, transcending mere optimism. It stems from a clear understanding of who God is—the covenant-keeping, all-powerful LORD (Yahweh)—and His unwavering commitment to His people. When God takes a stand "on my side," it is not a casual alliance but an active, supportive, and protective presence that reorients the psalmist's perspective. Fear, a natural human response to danger, is utterly disarmed. The rhetorical question, "what can man do unto me?" underscores the insignificance of any earthly threat, including persecution, suffering, or even death, when confronted by the boundless power of the Creator. "Man" ('adam), in his weakness and mortality, is shown to be utterly powerless against the One who holds all authority. This verse provides an immovable anchor for the soul, teaching believers to place their trust completely in God’s unfailing protection, recognizing that ultimate safety and victory are secured not by human strength or cunning, but by the LORD's direct intervention. It fosters a boldness in living out one's faith, regardless of opposition.
- Example 1: Facing a difficult decision that brings potential opposition: "The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?" allows one to act in faith, trusting God with the outcome.
- Example 2: Enduring criticism or slander for one's beliefs: This verse grounds the believer in God's approval rather than seeking human validation, nullifying the power of detractors.
- Example 3: Feeling overwhelmed by the challenges of the world: It shifts focus from the magnitude of problems to the immensity of God's power.