Psalm 118:9-10

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 118:10

All nations compassed me about . This is, of course, hyperbole. But it was a fact that all, or almost all, the nations among whom the Israelites dwelt were at all times hostile to them, and sought their destruction. But in the Name of the Lord will I destroy them ; or, "I will mow them down" (comp. Job 24:24 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 118:10

Acting in the Divine Name. "In the Name of the Lord I will cut them off." The idea in the mind of the psalmist may be illustrated by the old custom of going into battle in the inspiration of some motto . Thus Gideon gave his heroes this battle cry, "The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon!" Down to quite modern times it was the custom for generals to give their armies a motto, a word, or a name, under the inspiration of which they were to fight; and it does not take much observation of... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 118:9

It is better ... than to put confidence in princes - Even in the most mighty of the human race; in those who of all people may be supposed to have the most ability to aid us; in those whose favor is often sought more than the favor of God. Princes are only men; often as faithless and deceitful as other men; often less reliable in their character than those in more humble life. and in the great matters where we most need aid - in sickness, in danger, in death, in the eternal world - as... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 118:10

All nations compassed me about - They surrounded me; they hemmed me in on every side, so that I seemed to have no chance to escape. It would seem from this that the psalm was composed by someone who was at the head of the government, and whose government had been attacked by surrounding nations. This would accord well with many things that occurred in the life of David; but there were also other times in the Jewish history to which it would be applicable, and there is nothing that necessarily... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 118:8-9

Psalms 118:8-9. It is better to trust in the Lord It is much safer, and more to a person’s comfort; than to put confidence in man As mine enemies do in their own numbers, and in their powerful confederates. “Armies of men, however numerous, and, to appearance, powerful, may be routed and dispersed at once: princes may not be able to help us; if able, they may fail us, as not being willing to do it; if both able and willing, they may die ere they can execute their purpose. But that hope... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 118:10-12

Psalms 118:10-12. All nations compassed me about The neighbouring nations, the Philistines, Syrians, Ammonites, Moabites, who were stirred up by the overthrows which David had given to some of them, by their jealousy at his growing greatness, and by their hatred against the true religion. Yea, they compassed me The repetition implies their frequency and fervency in this action, and their confidence of success. They compassed me like bees In great numbers, and with great fury. They... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 118:1-29

Psalms 118:0 A procession of thanksgivingOriginally this hymn was apparently sung by a combination of the temple singers, the congregation and the king, to mark some great national occasion such as a victory in battle. The scene is set in the temple, where the royal procession enters the gates and moves to the altar (see v. 19,20,27).The singers call Israel to worship, and the congregation responds with praise to God for his steadfast love (1-4). The king then recounts how, in answer to prayer,... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 118:10

All. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Genus), App-6 , for a large number, or many. But, &c. Figure of speech Epistrophe ( App-6 ), repeated in Psalms 118:11 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Psalms 118:10

"All nations compassed me about:In the name of Jehovah I will cut them off.They compassed me about, yea they compassed me about:In the name of Jehovah I will cut them off.They compassed me about like bees; they arequenched as the fire of thorns:In the name of Jehovah I will cut them off.""All nations compassed me about" (Psalms 118:10). When David ascended the throne of Israel, the Philistines had just succeeded in killing Saul; and the Moabites, Ammonites, and Edomites in a sense "surrounded"... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Psalms 118:10-12

Psalms 118:10-12. All nations compassed me about, &c.— It is very plain from these words, that the neighbouring nations had entered into a league against David, and that this psalm was written before he had destroyed them, and consequently in the beginning of his reign. See 2Sa 7:1 and Psalms 83:0. I would just observe to the philological reader, says Dr. Delaney, once for all, that it is familiar with David to couch such images in three words, as would in the hands of Homer be the... read more

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