Psalms 118:13
Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
David experienced this literally: Saul repeatedly tried to kill him with spear (1 Samuel 18:11, 19:10), pursued him through wilderness, trapped him in caves. Yet God preserved David, fulfilling His promise to make him king. Peter faced similar testing: "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not" (Luke 22:31-32). Peter did fall—denying Christ three times—yet Jesus's intercession preserved him from complete collapse, and he was restored. Job's testing shows Satan pushing to make him curse God, yet God set limits, and Job was upheld through suffering. The church throughout history has faced violent persecution intended to destroy faith, yet believers have stood firm through divine help.
Questions for Reflection
- In what specific ways has God's help sustained you when enemies (circumstances, temptations, opposition) pushed you toward spiritual collapse?
- How does recognizing personal insufficiency ('I was about to fall') magnify appreciation of divine assistance?
- What is the relationship between being pushed hard toward falling and still standing firm through God's help rather than personal strength?
Analysis & Commentary
Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me. The psalmist shifts from third person (they surrounded) to second person address—speaking directly to an enemy or to Satan himself. Dacho d'chitani linpol (pushing you pushed me to fall). The infinitive absolute construction dacho d'chitani intensifies the verb: violently pushed, repeatedly shoved, thrust hard. Linpol (to fall) means not merely stumble but collapse completely, be destroyed, face utter defeat. The enemy's intent was total destruction, complete annihilation.
The adversative follows: but the LORD helped me (v'YHWH azarani). Azar (helped/aided/supported) pictures God coming alongside, providing strength at the moment of potential collapse. When human strength fails and defeat seems certain, divine help sustains. This recalls Psalm 37:23-24: "The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD...Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand." Christian testimony echoes this: "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed" (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).