Psalms 118:11

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

They compassed me about {H5437}; yea, they compassed me about {H5437}: but in the name {H8034} of the LORD {H3068} I will destroy {H4135} them.

Complete Jewish Bible

They surrounded me on every side in the name of ADONAI I cut them down.

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: In the name of Jehovah I will cut them off.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 118:11 stands as a profound declaration of unwavering faith and ultimate triumph in the face of overwhelming opposition. It vividly portrays the psalmist's experience of being relentlessly besieged by adversaries, yet confidently asserts that victory is assured, not through human might, but solely through the divine power and authoritative character of the LORD. This verse encapsulates a timeless truth: that God's omnipotence decisively surpasses all earthly threats, transforming situations of imminent peril into assured deliverance for those who trust in His name.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 118 is a triumphant psalm of thanksgiving, serving as the capstone of the "Egyptian Hallel" (Psalms 113-118), a collection traditionally recited during significant Jewish festivals, particularly Passover. The psalm begins with a universal call to praise God for His steadfast love, then transitions into a deeply personal, yet representative, testimony of deliverance from acute distress. Verse 11, "They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them," is part of a series of declarations (vv. 10-14) that recount the psalmist's (and by extension, Israel's) experience of being surrounded by enemies and God's subsequent intervention. This section builds towards the climactic celebration of entering the gates of righteousness and the famous messianic prophecy concerning the [rejected stone becoming the chief cornerstone](/psalms/118-22 "Psalm 118:22 - The Rejected Stone"), illustrating a journey from tribulation to vindication and glorification.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of being "compassed about" by enemies reflects the frequent military threats, sieges, and periods of national distress that ancient Israel endured. Situated at a crossroads of empires, Israel often found itself vulnerable to invasion and political subjugation. The declaration "in the name of the LORD" (בְּשֵׁם יְהוָה, _b'shem YHWH_) carries immense theological weight in the ancient Near East. A "name" was not merely an identifier but represented the essence, character, authority, and inherent power of the one bearing it. To act "in the name of the LORD" was to invoke His divine authority, drawing upon the very being of YHWH, the covenant-keeping God. This concept was foundational to Israel's understanding of their identity and their relationship with God, especially in warfare, where divine intervention was crucial, as exemplified in accounts like [Gideon's victory over the Midianites](/judges/7 "Judges 7 - Gideon's Victory") or [David's defeat of Goliath](/1_samuel/17-45 "1 Samuel 17:45 - David's Declaration to Goliath").

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalms 118 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, **Divine Deliverance** is paramount; the psalmist's triumph is attributed solely to God, underscoring that God is the ultimate source of salvation and victory, even when human efforts are futile, a truth echoed in [Psalm 20:7](/psalms/20-7 "Psalm 20:7 - Trust in the Name of the Lord"). Secondly, **Faith Amidst Adversity** is vividly portrayed. Despite being intensely threatened and "hemmed in on all sides," the psalmist expresses resolute trust in God's power to overcome, demonstrating a proactive faith that declares victory even before its full realization. Thirdly, **The Power of God's Name** is central. Declaring victory "in the name of the LORD" signifies acting by His authority, drawing upon His character, and invoking His supreme, omnipotent power. This is not a mere utterance but a profound reliance on His very being and covenant faithfulness, a truth also articulated in [Proverbs 18:10](/proverbs/18-10 "Proverbs 18:10 - The Name of the Lord is a Strong Tower"). Finally, the verse speaks to the theme of **Overcoming Opposition**, whether from literal adversaries or the spiritual and circumstantial challenges that seek to overwhelm, providing a paradigm for assured victory through divine intervention.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Compassed (Hebrew, _çâbab_ H5437):** From a primitive root meaning "to revolve, surround, or border," this verb, repeated emphatically in the verse, conveys a sense of being completely enclosed, hemmed in, or besieged. The repetition intensifies the imagery, portraying a dire predicament of extreme pressure, vulnerability, and the relentless nature of the threat, highlighting the psalmist's seemingly inescapable situation.
* **Name (Hebrew, _shêm_ H8034):** This primitive word signifies an appellation, a mark or memorial of individuality, and by implication, honor, authority, and character. To act "in the name of" the LORD is to act by His authority, drawing upon His very essence, power, and reputation. It is a declaration of reliance on the full character and presence of God, not merely a verbal invocation.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh_ H3068):** This is God's personal, covenantal name, often transliterated as Yahweh, derived from a root meaning "to be" or "to exist." It signifies the self-existent, eternal, and actively present God who keeps His covenant promises. When the psalmist declares victory "in the name of the LORD," it is a profound reliance on the omnipotent, faithful, and ever-present God of Israel.
* **Destroy (Hebrew, _mûwl_ H4135):** A primitive root meaning "to cut short," "curtail," or "circumcise," which by implication can mean "to blunt" or "to destroy." In this context, it denotes a decisive, conclusive, and overwhelming defeat of the enemies. It signifies not merely repelling an attack but achieving an utter neutralization of the threat, ensuring complete deliverance and vindication.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about:"** This opening clause vividly portrays the psalmist's desperate and dire situation. The emphatic repetition of "compassed me about" underscores the overwhelming, relentless, and pervasive nature of the encirclement by adversaries. It evokes a powerful sense of being cornered, vulnerable, and outnumbered, setting the stage for the dramatic shift that follows and emphasizing the severity of the trial and the apparent impossibility of human escape.
* **"but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them."** This second clause introduces a powerful contrast and a resolute declaration of faith. The conjunction "but" marks a decisive turning point, shifting from the dire reality of the threat to the certainty of divine victory. The psalmist's confidence is not rooted in personal strength, strategic cunning, or military might, but entirely "in the name of the LORD," signifying absolute reliance on God's inherent power, supreme authority, and unwavering covenant faithfulness. The declaration "I will destroy them" is an active, confident assertion of future triumph, rooted in the absolute certainty of God's intervention and His superior, omnipotent power over all opposition.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 118:11 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of faith and victory. The most prominent is **Repetition**, evident in "They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about." This emphatic repetition serves to highlight the intensity, persistence, and overwhelming nature of the threat, vividly impressing upon the reader the psalmist's dire predicament and the relentless pressure faced. Following this, a stark **Contrast** is immediately introduced by the conjunction "but," which pivots dramatically from the overwhelming external threat to the internal declaration of divine empowerment. This creates a powerful tension and resolution, emphasizing that God's power is the decisive factor against all odds. Furthermore, the phrase "in the name of the LORD" functions as a profound **Metonymy**, where "name" stands for the entire person, character, authority, and power of God Himself. It is not merely an utterance of a word, but a profound invocation and reliance upon the very essence and being of YHWH. The declaration "I will destroy them" can also be seen as a form of **Hyperbole**, expressing the absolute certainty and totality of the victory, focusing on the complete neutralization of the threat rather than necessarily a literal, individual annihilation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 118:11 is a profound theological statement that resonates throughout biblical theology, affirming God's absolute sovereignty and His active role as the deliverer of His people. It teaches that true power and ultimate victory do not reside in human strength, military might, or strategic cunning, but solely in the omnipotence and unwavering faithfulness of God, invoked through His revealed character and covenant name. This reliance on "the name of the LORD" underscores the intimate covenantal relationship between God and His people, where His name represents His active presence and unwavering commitment to their salvation. The verse provides a paradigm for robust faith in the face of overwhelming odds, encouraging believers to confront adversity not with despair, but with a confident declaration of God's superior power. It anticipates the New Testament understanding of spiritual warfare, where believers overcome not by their own might, but by the authority and power inherent in the name of Christ.

* [Proverbs 18:10](/proverbs/18-10 "Proverbs 18:10 - The Name of the Lord is a Strong Tower")
* [Psalm 46:1](/psalms/46-1 "Psalm 46:1 - God Our Refuge and Strength")
* [Psalm 18:29](/psalms/18-29 "Psalm 18:29 - God Enables Victory")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 118:11 offers profound and enduring encouragement for believers navigating the complexities and challenges of contemporary life. When faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles—be they personal struggles like chronic illness, financial distress, or deep-seated anxieties; spiritual attacks that threaten to overwhelm faith; relational conflicts that feel like a siege; or societal pressures that seek to compromise convictions—this verse powerfully reminds us where our true strength and ultimate victory lie. It is a call to proactive, defiant faith: rather than succumbing to fear, anxiety, or despair when "compassed about," we are invited to declare God's sovereign power and authority over our circumstances. Our triumph is not contingent upon our own abilities, resources, or cleverness, but upon the omnipotence and unwavering faithfulness of God, invoked through reliance on His very character and presence. The psalmist's steadfastness amidst intense pressure challenges us to cultivate a similar resolute trust, knowing that with God, no opposition is too great to overcome. This verse empowers us to face our "enemies"—whether literal or metaphorical—with the confident assurance that victory is secured "in the name of the LORD."

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the "enemies" or "circumstances" that currently "compass you about," making you feel overwhelmed or surrounded?**
* **How does the psalmist's declaration of faith, "in the name of the LORD I will destroy them," challenge your natural inclination to despair or rely on your own strength?**
* **What does it practically mean for you to act or declare victory "in the name of the LORD" in your current struggles?**
* **In what specific ways can you cultivate a deeper reliance on God's character and power when facing adversity, rather than focusing on the magnitude of the threat?**

### FAQ

**What does it mean to "destroy them" in the context of this psalm, and is it always a call to literal violence?**

Answer: The phrase "I will destroy them" (אמילם, _'amilam_) signifies a decisive and complete victory over the adversaries. While the immediate historical context for the psalmist might have involved literal military threats or national enemies, the spiritual and theological application extends far beyond physical violence. In a broader sense, it refers to the complete neutralization of any threat—whether physical, spiritual, emotional, or circumstantial—that seeks to overwhelm God's people. For the New Testament believer, this concept is primarily understood in terms of spiritual warfare, where the "enemies" are not primarily flesh and blood but spiritual forces of evil and the schemes of the devil, as articulated in [Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - Spiritual Warfare Against Spiritual Forces"). The "destruction" then refers to God's ultimate triumph over sin, death, and the powers of darkness, and the believer's participation in that victory through Christ. It is a declaration of God's assured vindication and the ultimate defeat of all that opposes His righteous will and kingdom.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 118:11 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The psalmist's declaration of victory "in the name of the LORD" powerfully foreshadows Christ's absolute triumph over the ultimate enemies of humanity: sin, death, and the devil. Jesus, as the incarnate "LORD" (YHWH), perfectly embodies the power and authority invoked by the psalmist. He was indeed "compassed about" by enemies—the religious authorities, the Roman state, and ultimately, the spiritual forces of darkness that sought to destroy Him on the cross. Yet, it was precisely through His crucifixion and resurrection that He decisively "destroyed" them. [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers") declares that Christ disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities, triumphing over them by the cross. Furthermore, [Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ's Victory Over Death and the Devil") explains that through His death, Jesus destroyed "him who has the power of death, that is, the devil," and delivered those who were held in slavery by the fear of death. The victory the psalmist anticipated "in the name of the LORD" is fully realized in the person and redemptive work of Jesus, who now holds the keys of death and Hades ([Revelation 1:18](/revelation/1-18 "Revelation 1:18 - Christ Holds the Keys of Death and Hades")). Believers, united with Christ, share in this victory, empowered to overcome all opposition not by their own strength, but by the authority of His name, which is above every name ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Jesus' Exalted Name and Universal Lordship")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 88:17

They came round about me daily like water; they compassed me about together.

Psalms 22:12

Many bulls have compassed me: strong [bulls] of Bashan have beset me round.

Psalms 22:16

For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.

1 Samuel 23:26

And Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain: and David made haste to get away for fear of Saul; for Saul and his men compassed David and his men round about to take them.

1 Chronicles 19:10

Now when Joab saw that the battle was set against him before and behind, he chose out of all the choice of Israel, and put [them] in array against the Syrians.