King James Version

What Does Psalms 118:10 Mean?

Psalms 118:10 in the King James Version says “All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them. destroy: Heb. cut them off” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 118 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them. destroy: Heb. cut them off”

Psalms 118:10 · KJV

Context

8

It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.

9

It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.

10

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

11

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

12

They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them. destroy: Heb. cut down

Read Psalms 118 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them. The psalmist describes military siege using kol goyim s'vavuni (all nations surrounded me). S'vavuni (surrounded/compassed) pictures encirclement, military besiegement—enemies on every side with no visible escape. Kol goyim (all nations) uses rhetorical hyperbole common in Psalms, emphasizing overwhelming odds: not one enemy but many, not local opponents but international coalition.

The confident response: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them (b'shem YHWH ki amilam). B'shem YHWH (in the name of the LORD) invokes divine authority, covenant promises, God's revealed character. The battle is fought not through superior military force but through calling on God's name. Amilam (I will cut them off/destroy them) uses language of decisive victory. This echoes David confronting Goliath: "Thou comest to me with a sword...but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts" (1 Samuel 17:45). Victory comes not through human strength but covenant invocation of God's powerful name.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Israel faced constant military threats from surrounding nations: Philistines, Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Arameans, Assyrians, Babylonians. Yet Israel's survival never depended on military superiority but divine intervention. When trusting God, small forces defeated vast armies (Joshua 10:42, Judges 7:2-8, 2 Chronicles 20:1-30). The phrase "in the name of the LORD" appears at crucial moments: David versus Goliath, Hezekiah facing Assyria's siege (2 Kings 19:31-37), Jehoshaphat's prayer before battle (2 Chronicles 20:9). This pattern continues in spiritual warfare: believers overcome Satan "by the blood of the Lamb" and faithful testimony (Revelation 12:11), and cast out demons "in Jesus's name" (Mark 16:17, Acts 16:18).

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'nations' (overwhelming opposition forces) currently surround you, and how does invoking God's name provide victory?
  2. How does fighting 'in the name of the LORD' differ from presumptuous claim of divine endorsement for personal agendas?
  3. In what ways does New Testament spiritual warfare parallel Old Testament physical battles fought 'in the LORD's name'?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 7 words
כָּל1 of 7
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

גּוֹיִ֥ם2 of 7

“All nations”

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

סְבָב֑וּנִי3 of 7

“compassed me about”

H5437

to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively

בְּשֵׁ֥ם4 of 7

“but in the name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

יְ֝הוָ֗ה5 of 7

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

כִּ֣י6 of 7
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אֲמִילַֽם׃7 of 7

“will I destroy”

H4135

to cut short, i.e., curtail (specifically the prepuce, i.e., to circumcise); by implication, to blunt; figuratively, to destroy

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 118:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 118:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 88:17Revelation 20:8-92 Samuel 10:1-19Psalms 18:402 Samuel 8:1-18Zechariah 14:1-3

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