TRV
Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Psalms 118:1–18. His four-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
It appears here, as often as elsewhere, that David had his heart full of the goodness of God. He loved to think of it, loved to speak of it, and was very solicitous that God might have the praise of it and others the comfort of it. The more our hearts are impressed with a sense of God's goodness the more they will be enlarged in all manner of obedience. In these verses,
I.He celebrates God's mercy in general, and calls upon others to acknowledge it, from their own experience of it (Psa 118:1):
O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is not only good in himself, but good to you, and his mercy endures for ever, not only in the everlasting fountain, God himself, but in the never-failing streams of that mercy, which shall run parallel with the longest line of eternity, and in the chosen vessels of mercy, who will be everlasting monuments of it. Israel, and the house of Aaron, and all that fear God, were called upon to trust in God (Psa 115:9-11); here they are called upon to confess that his mercy endures for ever, and so to encourage themselves to trust in him, Psa 118:2-4. Priests and people, Jews and proselytes, must all own God's goodness, and all join in the same thankful song; if they can say no more, let them say this for him, that his mercy endures for ever, that they have had experience of it all their days, and confide in it for good things that shall last for ever. The praises and thanksgivings of all that truly fear the Lord shall be as pleasing to him as those of the house of Israel or the house of Aaron.
II.He preserves an account of God's gracious dealings with him in particular, which he communicates to others, that they might thence fetch both songs of praise and supports of faith, and both ways God would have the glory. David had, in his time, waded through a great deal of difficulty, which gave him great experience of God's goodness. Let us therefore observe here,
1.The great distress and danger that he had been in, which he reflects upon for the magnifying of God's goodness to him in his present advancement. There are many who, when they are lifted up, care not for hearing or speaking of their former depressions; but David takes all occasions to remember his own low estate. He was in distress (Psa 118:5), greatly straitened and at a loss; there were many that hated him (Psa 118:7), and this could not but be a great grief to one of an ingenuous spirit, that strove to gain the good affections of all. All nations compassed me about, Psa 118:10. All the nations adjacent to Israel set themselves to give disturbance to David, when he had newly come to the throne, Philistines, Moabites, Syrians, Ammonites, etc. We read of his enemies round about; they were confederate against him, and thought to cut off all succours from him. This endeavour of his enemies to surround him is repeated (Psa 118:11): They compassed me about, yea, they compassed me about, which intimates that they were virulent and violent, and, for a time, prevalent, in their attempts against him, and when put into disorder they rallied again and pushed on their design. They compassed me about like bees, so numerous were they, so noisy, so vexatious; they came flying upon him, came upon him in swarms, set upon him with their malignant stings; but it was to their own destruction, as the bee, they say, loses her life with her sting, Animamque in vulnere ponit - She lays down her life in the wound. Lord, how are those increased that trouble me! Two ways David was brought into trouble: - (1.) By the injuries that men did him (Psa 118:13): Thou (O enemy!) hast thrust sore at me, with many a desperate push, that I might fall into sin and into ruin. Thrusting thou hast thrust at me (so the word is), so that I was ready to fall. Satan is the great enemy that thrusts sorely at us by his temptations, to cast us down from our excellency, that we may fall from our God and from our comfort in him; and, if Go had not upheld us by his grace, his thrusts would have been fatal to us. (2.) By the afflictions which God laid upon him (Psa 118:18): The Lord has chastened me sore. Men thrust at him for his destruction; God chastened him for his instruction. They thrust at him with the malice of enemies; God chastened him with the love and tenderness of a Father. Perhaps he refers to the same trouble which God, the author of it, designed for his profit, that by it he might partake of his holiness (Heb 12:10, Heb 12:11); howbeit, men, who were the instruments of it, meant not so, neither did their heart think so, but it was in their heart to cut off and destroy, Isa 10:7. What men intend for the greatest mischief God intends for the greatest good, and it is easy to say whose counsel shall stand. God will sanctify the trouble to his people, as it is his chastening, and secure the good he designs; and he will guard them against the trouble, as it is the enemies' thrusting, and secure them from the evil they design, and then we need not fear.
This account which David gives of his troubles is very applicable to our Lord Jesus. Many there were that hated him, hated him without a cause. They compassed him about; Jews and Romans surrounded him. They thrust sorely at him; the devil did so when he tempted him; his persecutors did so when they reviled him; nay, the Lord himself chastened him sorely, bruised him, and put him to grief, that by his stripes we might be healed.
2.The favour God vouchsafed to him in his distress.
(1.)God heart his prayer (Psa 118:5): "He answered me with enlargements; he did more for me than I was able to ask; he enlarged my heart in prayer and yet gave more largely than I desired." He answered me, and set me in a large place (so we read it), where I had room to bestir myself, room to enjoy myself, and room to thrive; and the large place was the more comfortable because he was brought to it out of distress, Psa 4:1.
(2.)God baffled the designs of his enemies against him: They are quenched as the fire of thorns (Psa 118:12), which burns furiously for a while, makes a great noise and a great blaze, but is presently out, and cannot do the mischief that it threatened. Such was the fury of David's enemies; such is the laughter of the fool, like the crackling of thorns under a pot (Ecc 7:6), and such is the anger of the fool, which therefore is not to be feared, any more than his laughter is to be envied, but both to be pitied. They thrust sorely at him, but the Lord helped him (Psa 118:13), helped him to keep his feet and maintain his ground. Our spiritual enemies would, long before this, have been our ruin if God had not been our helper.
(3.)God preserved his life when there was but a step between him and death (Psa 118:18): "He has chastened me, but he has not given me over unto death, for he has not given me over to the will of my enemies." To this St. Paul seems to refer in Co2 6:9. As dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and not killed. We ought not therefore, when we are chastened sorely, immediately to despair of life, for God sometimes, in appearance, turns men to destruction, and yet says, Return; says unto them, Live.
This also is applicable to Jesus Christ. God answered him, and set him in a large place. He quenched the fire of his enemies; rage, which did but consume themselves; for through death he destroyed him that had the power of death. He helped him through his undertaking; and thus far he did not give him over unto death that he did not leave him in the grave, nor suffer him to see corruption. Death had no dominion over him.
3.The improvement he made of this favour.
(1.)It encouraged him to trust in God; from his own experience he can say, It is better, more wise, more comfortable, and more safe, there is more reason for it, and it will speed better, to trust in the Lord, than to put confidence in man, yea, though it be in princes, Psa 118:8, Psa 118:9. He that devotes himself to God's guidance and government, with an entire dependence upon God's wisdom, power, and goodness, has a better security to make him easy than if all the kings and potentates of the earth should undertake to protect him.
(2.)It enabled him to triumph in that trust.
[1.]He triumphs in God, and in his relation to him and interest in him (Psa 118:6): "The Lord is on my side. He is a righteous God, and therefore espouses my righteous cause and will plead it." If we are on God's side, he is on ours; if we be for him and with him, he will be for us and with us (Psa 118:7): "The Lord takes my part, and stands up for me, with those that help me. He is to me among my helpers, and so one of them that he is all in all both to them and me, and without him I could not help myself nor could any friend I have in the world help me." Thus (Psa 118:14), "The Lord is my strength and my song; that is, I make him so (without him I am weak and sad, but on him I stay myself as my strength, both for doing and suffering, and in him I solace myself as my song, by which I both express my joy and ease my grief), and, making him so, I find him so: he strengthens my heart with his graces and gladdens my heart with his comforts." If God be our strength, he must be our song; if he work all our works in us, he must have all praise and glory from us. God is sometimes the strength of his people when he is not their song; they have spiritual supports when they want spiritual delights. But, if he be both to us, we have abundant reason to triumph in him; for, he be our strength and our song, he has become not only our Saviour, but our salvation; for his being our strength is our protection to the salvation, and his being our song is an earnest and foretaste of the salvation.
[2.]He triumphs over his enemies. Now shall his head be lifted up above them; for, First, He is sure they cannot hurt him: "God is for me, and then I will not fear what man can do against me," Psa 118:6. He can set them all at defiance, and is not disturbed at any of their attempts. "They can do nothing to me but what God permits them to do; they can do no real damage, for they cannot separate between me and God; they cannot do any thing but what God can make to work for my good. The enemy is a man, a depending creature, whose power is limited, and subordinate to a higher power, and therefore I will not fear him." Who art thou, that thou shouldst be afraid of a man that shall die? Isa 51:12. The apostle quotes this, with application to all Christians, Heb 13:6. They may boldly say, as boldly as David himself, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me; let him do his worst. Secondly, He is sure that he shall be too hard for them at last: "I shall see my desire upon those that hate me (Psa 118:7); I shall see them defeated in their designs against me; nay, In the name of the Lord I will destroy them (Psa 118:10-12); I trust in the name of the Lord that I shall destroy them, and in his name I will go forth against them, depending on his strength, by warrant from him, and with an eye to his glory, not confiding in myself nor taking vengeance for myself." Thus he went forth against Goliath, in the name of the God of Israel, Sa1 17:45. David says this as a type of Christ, who triumphed over the powers of darkness, destroyed them, and made a show of them openly.
[3.]He triumphs in an assurance of the continuance of his comfort, his victory, and his life. First, Of his comfort (Psa 118:15): The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous, and in mine particularly, in my family. The dwellings of the righteous in this world are but tabernacles, mean and movable; here we have no city, no continuing city. But these tabernacles are more comfortable to them than the palaces of the wicked are to them; for in the house where religion rules, 1. There is salvation; safety from evil, earnests of eternal salvation, which has come to this house, Luk 19:9. 2. Where there is salvation there is cause for rejoicing, for continual joy in God. Holy joy is called the joy of salvation, for in that there is abundant matter for joy. 3. Where there is rejoicing there ought to be the voice of rejoicing, that is, praise and thanksgiving. Let God be served with joyfulness and gladness of heart, and let the voice of that rejoicing be heard daily in our families, to the glory of God and encouragement of others. Secondly, Of his victory: The right hand of the Lord does valiantly (Psa 118:15) and is exalted; for (as some read it) it has exalted me. The right hand of God's power is engaged for his people, and it acts vigorously for them and therefore victoriously. For what difficulty can stand before the divine valour? We are weak, and act but cowardly for ourselves; but God is mighty, and acts valiantly for us, with jealousy and resolution, Isa 63:5, Isa 63:6. There is spirit, as well as strength, in all God's operations for his people. And, when God's right hand does valiantly for our salvation, it ought to be exalted in our praises. Thirdly, Of his life (Psa 118:17): "I shall not die by the hands of my enemies that seek my life, but live and declare the works of the Lord; I shall live a monument of God's mercy and power; his works shall be declared in me, and I will make it the business of my life to praise and magnify God, looking upon that as the end of my preservation." Note, It is not worth while to live for any other purpose than to declare the works of God, for his honour and the encouragement of others to serve him and trust in him. Such as these were the triumphs of the Son of David in the assurance he had of the success of his undertaking and that the good pleasure of the Lord should prosper in his hand.
Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
2 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
When a thought oppresses you, do not be downhearted but put up with it in courage, saying, “They swarmed around me closer and closer, but I drove them back in the name of the Lord.” Divine help will arrive at your side immediately, and you will drive them away from you, and courage will compass you round about, and the glory of God will walk with you; and “you will be filled to your soul’s desire.” For the ways of God are humility of heart and gentleness. It is said indeed, “Whom shall I consider if not the humble and the meek?” If you move ahead in the ways of the Lord, he will watch over you, will give you strength and will fill you with knowledge and wisdom. Your remembrance will remain before him at all times. He will deliver you from the devil, and in your dying day he will grant you his peace.
"They came about me as bees do a hive, and burned up even as the fire among the thorns: and in the Name of the Lord have I taken vengeance on them" [Psalm 118:12]. Here then the order of the words corresponds with the order of events. For we rightly understand that our Lord Himself, the Head of the Church, was surrounded by persecutors, even as bees surround a hive. For the Holy Spirit is speaking with mystic subtlety of what was done by those who knew not what they did. For bees make honey in the hives: while our Lord's persecutors, unconscious as they were, rendered Him sweeter unto us even by His very Passion; so that we may taste and see how sweet is the Lord, "Who died for our sins, and arose for our justification." [Romans 4:25] But what follows, "and burned up even as the fire among the thorns," is better understood of His Body, that is, of a people spread abroad, whom all nations compassed about, since it was gathered together from all nations. They consumed this sinful flesh, and the grievous piercings of this mortal life, in the flame of persecution. "Taken vengeance on them:" either because they themselves, that wickedness, which in them persecuted the righteous, having been extinguished, were joined with the people of Christ; or because the rest of them, who have at this time scorned the mercy of Him who calls them, will at the end feel the truth of Him who judges them.
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Summary
Psalms 118:12 is a powerful declaration of divine victory over overwhelming opposition, vividly portraying the psalmist's adversaries as a relentless swarm of bees whose threat is swiftly extinguished like a fleeting fire of thorns. The verse culminates in a resolute affirmation that triumph is secured not by human might, but solely through the authoritative power and intervention of the Lord, underscoring a foundational trust in God's sovereign deliverance.
Context
Literary Context
Psalms 118 stands as the concluding psalm of the Egyptian Hallel (Psalms 113-118), a collection of psalms traditionally sung during major Jewish festivals, most notably Passover. This psalm, therefore, carries a profound communal and liturgical significance, celebrating God's enduring mercy and salvation. Within its immediate context, Psalms 118:12 follows a series of verses that powerfully contrast reliance on human strength with absolute trust in the Lord. The psalmist repeatedly declares, "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man" as seen in Psalms 118:8 and "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes" a theme echoed in Psalms 118:9. These preceding affirmations set the stage for the psalmist's bold declaration of victory, grounding it firmly in divine power rather than personal might or earthly alliances. The verse itself is part of a larger narrative of distress, fervent prayer, and ultimate deliverance, culminating in a triumphant song of thanksgiving.
Historical & Cultural Context
The imagery employed in Psalms 118:12 would have been immediately recognizable and impactful to an ancient Israelite audience. Bees, while vital for pollination, could also be a formidable and painful nuisance when disturbed, often swarming aggressively. This metaphor effectively conveys the multitude, persistence, and irritating nature of the psalmist's enemies. Similarly, "fire of thorns" refers to thorn bushes, which, when ignited, burn with intense heat and a rapid, fierce blaze, but quickly consume themselves and die out, leaving little lasting ash or heat. This common sight in the arid landscapes of ancient Israel served as a potent illustration of something that appears threatening but is ultimately ephemeral and self-destructive. The concept of acting "in the name of the LORD" was deeply embedded in Israelite culture, signifying the exercise of divine authority, power, and presence. It was invoked in warfare, blessings, and legal declarations, indicating that God Himself was the active agent behind the speaker's actions.
Key Themes
Psalms 118:12 powerfully articulates several core themes central to the Psalter and biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights the theme of Divine Deliverance, portraying God as the ultimate rescuer who intervenes decisively on behalf of His people against overwhelming odds. Secondly, it emphasizes Trust in God's Sovereignty, contrasting the fleeting power of human or demonic opposition with the unyielding and eternal power of Yahweh. The psalmist's confidence is not in his own ability to fight, but in God's active presence and authority. Thirdly, the verse underscores the theme of Overcoming Adversity, providing a vivid picture of intense struggle followed by swift, decisive victory. This offers profound encouragement that even the most formidable challenges can be overcome when faced with divine backing. Finally, the psalm, as a whole, is a testament to Thanksgiving and Praise for God's Enduring Mercy as declared in Psalms 118:1, with this verse serving as a concrete example of that mercy in action, transforming distress into triumph.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This verb (H5437) means "to revolve, surround, or border." In this context, it vividly conveys the hostile encirclement of the psalmist by numerous adversaries, creating a sense of being overwhelmed and cornered from all sides.
This primitive root (H1846) means "to be extinguished," "to expire," or "to be dried up." It powerfully describes the sudden, complete, and irreversible cessation of the enemies' power, indicating that their fiery intensity, despite its initial ferocity, is brought to an abrupt and final end.
This primitive root (H4135) primarily means "to cut short" or "to circumcise," but is used figuratively here to mean "to destroy" or "to annihilate." In the context of "in the name of the LORD," it signifies a decisive and complete defeat of the enemies, demonstrating that the psalmist's action is a divinely empowered act of bringing their hostile activity to a definitive end.
Verse Breakdown
"They compassed me about like bees"
This clause introduces the nature and intensity of the opposition. The simile of "bees" suggests enemies that are numerous, relentless, irritating, and capable of inflicting pain. The act of "compassing" or surrounding implies a feeling of being overwhelmed, cornered, and under attack from all sides by a chaotic, swarming force. It conveys the psalmist's initial vulnerability and the formidable nature of the threat.
"they are quenched as the fire of thorns"
This clause presents a stark contrast to the initial threat, describing the swift and decisive defeat of the adversaries. The "fire of thorns" is a powerful simile for something that burns fiercely and rapidly but quickly consumes itself and dies out, leaving little lasting impact. This illustrates the fleeting, insubstantial, and ultimately ineffectual nature of the enemies' power, highlighting that their intense malice is short-lived and self-destructive.
"for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them"
This final clause reveals the source of the psalmist's confidence and the ultimate reason for the enemies' defeat. The phrase "in the name of the LORD" signifies acting with the authority, power, and presence of Yahweh Himself (H3068). The psalmist's "I will destroy them" is not a boast of personal strength but a declaration of divinely empowered action, asserting that the victory is not achieved through human might or strategy, but solely through God's sovereign intervention and endorsement.
Literary Devices
Psalms 118:12 is rich in literary devices that amplify its message of divine triumph. The most prominent are Simile and Contrast. The verse opens with a potent Simile, "They compassed me about like bees," which vividly conveys the overwhelming number, relentless nature, and irritating sting of the enemies. This image immediately establishes a sense of being surrounded and under chaotic, painful assault. This initial portrayal of intense threat is then juxtaposed with another striking Simile, "they are quenched as the fire of thorns." This comparison effectively illustrates the swift, decisive, and ultimately ephemeral nature of the adversaries' power. Thorn fires burn fiercely but quickly consume themselves, signifying that the enemies' intensity, though formidable, is short-lived and self-destructive. The entire verse functions as a powerful Contrast between the initial perceived strength and overwhelming presence of the enemies and their ultimate, rapid, and complete defeat. This dramatic shift from being encircled to witnessing the enemies' extinction underscores the psalmist's unwavering faith and the absolute power of God. The final declaration, "for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them," serves as an Assertion or Declaration of Faith, revealing the ultimate source of this victory and transforming the psalmist from a victim into a divinely empowered agent of triumph.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Psalms 118:12 powerfully articulates the biblical truth that God is the ultimate deliverer who actively intervenes on behalf of His people against all forms of opposition. It underscores the principle that human strength and alliances are ultimately futile compared to the sovereign power of Yahweh. The psalmist's confidence is rooted not in his own might, but in the character and authority of God, whose "name" represents His very being and power. This verse serves as a profound reminder that even when surrounded by seemingly insurmountable challenges, the believer's victory is assured when grounded in divine power, as God's intervention can swiftly extinguish the fiercest threats.
Reflection and Application
Psalms 118:12 offers profound encouragement for believers navigating overwhelming challenges in contemporary life. When we feel "compassed about like bees" by anxieties, spiritual attacks, relational conflicts, or systemic injustices, this verse calls us to shift our gaze from the magnitude of the threat to the omnipotence of God. It reminds us that while adversity may seem fierce and relentless, its power is ultimately temporary and will be "quenched" by God's intervention, much like the quick-burning thorns. Our confidence should not rest on our own resilience or strategic prowess, but solely on the power and authority of the Lord. To act "in the name of the LORD" is to live by faith, acknowledging His sovereignty over every circumstance and trusting that He will fight our battles, empowering us to stand firm and witness His decisive victory. This verse is a call to courageous faith, knowing that God is our ultimate defender and the source of all triumph.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "compassed me about like bees" mean?
This vivid imagery describes overwhelming, relentless, and irritating opposition. Bees swarm in large numbers, are persistent, and inflict painful stings, creating a sense of being completely surrounded, under intense attack, and feeling helpless against a multitude of adversaries. It conveys the chaotic and pervasive nature of the threat, highlighting the psalmist's vulnerability before divine intervention.
Why is the imagery of "fire of thorns" used to describe the enemies' defeat?
Thorn bushes, common in the biblical landscape, burn very hot and fast, but their fire quickly consumes itself and dies out, leaving little lasting heat or impact. This imagery emphasizes the swift, decisive, and ultimately ineffectual nature of the enemies' power. Despite their initial ferocity, their threat is temporary, self-destructive, and quickly extinguished by divine intervention, contrasting sharply with their initial perceived danger. It underscores that the Lord's victory is complete and leaves no lingering threat.
What does it mean to destroy them "in the name of the LORD"?
To act "in the name of the LORD" signifies that the victory is achieved not by the psalmist's own strength, wisdom, or military might, but by the authority, power, and character of God Himself. It is a declaration of complete reliance on divine intervention and sovereignty, echoing the principle that "The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation" as declared in Psalms 118:14. The psalmist is merely an instrument through whom God's power is manifested, demonstrating that God is the true and ultimate source of triumph over all adversaries.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Psalms 118:12 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the one who truly faced the most overwhelming opposition, "compassed about like bees" by the forces of sin, death, and spiritual darkness, culminating in His crucifixion. Yet, just as the fire of thorns quickly consumes itself, the power of these adversaries was "quenched" decisively at the cross and resurrection. Christ's death was not a defeat but a strategic victory, where He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in Him. He acted perfectly "in the name of the LORD," His Father, fulfilling His mission with divine authority as He Himself stated in John 17:4. Through His triumph, believers are now empowered to overcome, for greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. Jesus, the ultimate Victor, assures His followers, In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. Thus, the psalmist's declaration becomes the believer's reality, as we stand in Christ's victory, knowing that in His name, we too can overcome every "bee" and "thorn fire" that rises against us.