Psalms 118:13

KJV

Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thou hast thrust {H1760} sore {H1760} at me that I might fall {H5307}: but the LORD {H3068} helped {H5826} me.

Complete Jewish Bible

You pushed me hard to make me fall, but ADONAI helped me.

Berean Standard Bible

I was pushed so hard I was falling, but the LORD helped me.

American Standard Version

Thou didst thrust sore at me that I might fall; But Jehovah helped me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 118:13 captures a dramatic moment of severe opposition and subsequent divine deliverance. The psalmist vividly describes an intense assault by an adversary, designed to cause his complete downfall, yet triumphantly declares that the Lord intervened decisively, providing timely and powerful help that ensured his victory over the forces arrayed against him. This verse stands as a powerful testament to God's unfailing faithfulness and His sovereign ability to uphold His people in the face of overwhelming odds.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 118 is a triumphant hymn of thanksgiving, marking the culmination of the "Egyptian Hallel" (Psalms 113-118), traditionally sung during significant Jewish festivals like Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. This collection celebrates God's redemptive acts, particularly the Exodus from Egypt. Within Psalm 118 itself, the structure moves from a general call to praise God's steadfast love (verses 1-4), to the psalmist's personal testimony of distress and deliverance (verses 5-18), concluding with renewed praise and a prophetic declaration about the "stone the builders rejected" (verses 19-29). Verse 13 falls squarely within the personal testimony, detailing a specific, acute moment of peril that highlights the psalmist's utter reliance on God. The surrounding verses describe being surrounded by enemies (verses 10-12) and the Lord's strength and song (verse 14), emphasizing the transition from deep trouble to resounding victory, making verse 13 a pivotal turning point in the narrative of deliverance.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "Egyptian Hallel" psalms were integral to Jewish liturgical life, especially the Passover Seder, where they recalled God's miraculous liberation of Israel from Egyptian bondage. This historical memory infused the psalms with a deep sense of God's power to deliver His people from any oppression. The "thou" in verse 13 likely refers to a specific enemy or group of adversaries, which could be foreign nations threatening Israel, internal conspirators against a king or leader, or even metaphorical forces of chaos and evil. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, a king's or nation's stability was often tested by military or political challenges, and divine intervention was considered the ultimate source of victory and legitimacy. The psalmist, whether a king, a national representative, or an individual believer, experiences a personal battle that mirrors the broader historical narrative of God's people constantly facing opposition but ultimately sustained by divine help.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalm 118 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Deliverance**, demonstrating that God is actively involved in the lives of His people, intervening directly to rescue them from peril, as seen in [Psalm 46:1](/psalms/46-1 "Psalm 46:1 - God Our Refuge and Strength"). Secondly, it highlights the **Reality of Opposition and Adversity**, acknowledging that believers will face intense attacks designed to cause their downfall, echoing the struggles described in [2 Corinthians 4:8-9](/2_corinthians/4-8 "2 Corinthians 4:8-9 - Afflicted, but not crushed"). Thirdly, it champions the theme of **Trust and Reliance on God**, contrasting human weakness with divine strength, a core message found throughout the book of Psalms, notably in [Psalm 20:7](/psalms/20-7 "Psalm 20:7 - Trust in the Name of the Lord"). Finally, it reinforces the theme of **Thanksgiving and Praise for God's Steadfast Love (Hesed)**, as the experience of deliverance invariably leads to a renewed declaration of God's enduring goodness, which is the foundational refrain of [Psalm 118](/psalms/118 "Psalm 118 - A Hymn of Thanksgiving").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Thrust sore (Hebrew, _dāḥâ'_):** This verb means to push, thrust, or violently overthrow. It conveys a strong, aggressive, and determined action aimed at causing someone to stumble, fall, or be completely dislodged from their position. The intensity of the attack is palpable, suggesting a relentless and overwhelming force. In other contexts, it can describe being driven away or cast down, emphasizing the enemy's intention to utterly defeat and incapacitate the psalmist.
* **Helped (Hebrew, _ʿāzar'_):** This verb signifies active support, aid, or assistance. It denotes a timely and effective intervention, a coming alongside to provide succor in a moment of dire need. Unlike passive observation, _ʿāzar_ implies a powerful and decisive act of rescue, indicating that the Lord's help was not merely moral support but a tangible and impactful intervention that turned the tide of the battle.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall":** This clause vividly portrays the enemy's aggressive and malicious intent. The "thou" refers to the adversary, a singular or collective force relentlessly attacking the psalmist. The phrase "thrust sore" (from _dāḥâ_) emphasizes the violent, persistent, and overwhelming nature of the assault. The explicit purpose of this attack is "that I might fall," indicating a desire for the psalmist's complete collapse, defeat, or even death. It speaks to the reality of intense, targeted opposition designed to destabilize and destroy.
* **"but the LORD helped me":** This is the pivotal turning point of the verse, introduced by the strong adversative conjunction "but." Despite the severity and determined malice of the attack described in the first clause, the second clause declares the decisive and triumphant intervention of Yahweh, "the LORD." The word "helped" (from _ʿāzar_) signifies active, powerful, and effective assistance. It implies that God's intervention was precisely what was needed, at the precise moment it was needed, to counteract the enemy's thrust and ensure the psalmist's preservation and ultimate victory. This declaration shifts the narrative from peril to praise, from potential defeat to certain deliverance.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 118:13 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. **Personification** is evident in the address "Thou hast thrust sore at me," giving the abstract or collective enemy a personal, active role, making the conflict more immediate and intense. The most striking device is **Contrast**, powerfully highlighted by the conjunction "but." This word creates a stark opposition between the overwhelming human or demonic attack and the decisive, saving intervention of the Lord. This contrast underscores the theme that God's power is infinitely greater than any opposing force. There is also an element of **Hyperbole** in "thrust sore," suggesting an attack so fierce it feels almost impossibly overwhelming, thus magnifying the Lord's subsequent deliverance. Finally, the verse functions as a **Testimony**, a personal declaration of God's faithfulness rooted in a specific, lived experience of distress and rescue, designed to encourage and inspire others.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 118:13 is a powerful theological statement affirming God's active sovereignty and His unwavering commitment to His people, even when they face overwhelming opposition. It highlights the biblical truth that while adversaries may be relentless and their attacks designed for utter destruction, God's power to deliver is ultimate and decisive. This verse underscores the reality of spiritual warfare and the constant need for divine intervention in the life of faith. It teaches that our ultimate security and victory do not lie in our own strength or cunning, but solely in the Lord's timely and effective help. It invites believers to cultivate a deep trust in God's faithfulness, knowing that He is a present help in trouble, turning what seems like inevitable defeat into a testimony of His glorious power.

* [Psalm 27:1](/psalms/27-1 "Psalm 27:1 - The Lord is my light and my salvation")
* [Isaiah 41:10](/isaiah/41-10 "Isaiah 41:10 - Do not fear, for I am with you")
* [Romans 8:31](/romans/8-31 "Romans 8:31 - If God is for us, who can be against us?")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 118:13 offers profound encouragement for believers navigating the complexities and challenges of life. It acknowledges the reality of opposition – whether from spiritual forces, human adversaries, or overwhelming circumstances – that seeks to cause us to stumble, lose hope, or abandon our faith. The "thrust sore" can manifest as relentless criticism, unexpected illness, financial ruin, relational betrayal, or intense spiritual doubt, all designed to make us "fall." However, the verse pivots dramatically to declare the unwavering truth: "but the LORD helped me." This is a call to radical trust, reminding us that no matter how fierce the attack, God's intervention is not only possible but promised. It compels us to shift our gaze from the magnitude of the problem to the omnipotence of our Helper, fostering resilience and a spirit of confident expectation in God's deliverance. It teaches us to voice our struggles honestly, but to conclude with a declaration of God's faithfulness, transforming our lament into a testimony of His power.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "thrust sore" are you currently experiencing that seeks to cause your downfall?**
* **In what specific ways has "the LORD helped you" in past moments of intense struggle?**
* **How does remembering God's past help strengthen your faith for present and future battles?**
* **What practical steps can you take to more consciously lean on the Lord's help when under attack?**

### FAQ
**Who is the "thou" in Psalms 118:13, and how does the Lord "help" in such situations?**

Answer: The "thou" in Psalms 118:13 refers to the psalmist's adversary, which can be interpreted in several ways. Historically, it could represent foreign nations or specific enemies of Israel, or even internal opponents of a king or leader. Theologically, it can symbolize any force—whether human, spiritual, or circumstantial—that opposes God's people and seeks their downfall. This includes the spiritual forces of evil described in [Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - Our struggle is not against flesh and blood"). The Lord "helps" in multifaceted ways. This help is not always a miraculous removal of the problem, but often involves granting inner strength, wisdom, resilience, or providing unexpected resources or allies. It can be a sudden, dramatic intervention, or a sustained upholding through difficult times, ensuring that despite the attack, the believer does not ultimately "fall" from God's grace or purpose. The help is always sufficient and precisely what is needed to ensure God's will prevails and His people are sustained, as promised in [Philippians 4:13](/philippians/4-13 "Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 118:13 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the true Israel, the ultimate King, who experienced the most intense "thrust sore" from every conceivable adversary: the religious authorities, the Roman Empire, the forces of sin and death, and even the spiritual powers of darkness. His journey to the cross was the ultimate experience of being "thrust sore that I might fall," as the world sought to utterly defeat and silence Him. Yet, in the face of this overwhelming opposition, "the LORD helped Him." This divine help was not a rescue *from* the cross, but a vindication *through* the resurrection. God the Father raised Jesus from the dead, demonstrating His supreme power over all who sought to bring Him down, fulfilling the prophetic words of [Acts 2:24](/acts/2-24 "Acts 2:24 - God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death"). Christ's victory over death and the grave, achieved through the Father's help, becomes the source of our own deliverance. Because Jesus was "thrust sore" and the Lord helped Him to triumph, believers can now face their own battles with confidence, knowing that the same power that raised Christ from the dead is at work within them ([Romans 8:11](/romans/8-11 "The Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you")). His ultimate victory ensures that though we may be attacked, we will not ultimately fall, for our help comes from the Lord, who is our resurrected Savior and King ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Approach the throne of grace with confidence")).

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 140:4

Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings.

Psalms 86:17

Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see [it], and be ashamed: because thou, LORD, hast holpen me, and comforted me.

Micah 7:8

Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD [shall be] a light unto me.

Psalms 18:17

He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me.

Psalms 18:18

They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.

Matthew 4:1

¶ Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

Matthew 4:11

Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.