Psalms 118:10

Authorized King James Version

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

Original Language Analysis

כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 1 of 7
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
גּוֹיִ֥ם All nations H1471
גּוֹיִ֥ם All nations
Strong's: H1471
Word #: 2 of 7
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
סְבָב֑וּנִי compassed me about H5437
סְבָב֑וּנִי compassed me about
Strong's: H5437
Word #: 3 of 7
to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively
בְּשֵׁ֥ם but in the name H8034
בְּשֵׁ֥ם but in the name
Strong's: H8034
Word #: 4 of 7
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
יְ֝הוָ֗ה of the LORD H3068
יְ֝הוָ֗ה of the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 5 of 7
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כִּ֣י H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 6 of 7
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אֲמִילַֽם׃ will I destroy H4135
אֲמִילַֽם׃ will I destroy
Strong's: H4135
Word #: 7 of 7
to cut short, i.e., curtail (specifically the prepuce, i.e., to circumcise); by implication, to blunt; figuratively, to destroy

Analysis & 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.

Historical 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).

Questions for Reflection