Psalm 118:12

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 118:1-18

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 (Ps.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 118:12

They compassed me about like bees ,.... In great numbers F23 ηυτε εθνεα μελισσα ων , Homer. Iliad. 2. v. 87, Vid. Virgil. Aeneid. 12. v. 587. ; as a swarm of bees, which, being irritated and provoked, will fly upon persons in a body, and with great fury; to which the Amorites and the Assyrian army were compared, Deuteronomy 1:44 . They will attack horses and kill them, as Aristotle F24 Hist. Animal. l. 9. c. 40. says; and places besieged have been delivered by throwing out... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 118:12

They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns - I shall refer to Dr. Delaney's note on this passage. The reader has here in miniature two of the finest images in Homer; which, if his curiosity demands to be gratified, he will find illustrated and enlarged, Iliad ii., ver. 86. - Επεσσευοντο δε λαοι.π Ηΰτε εθνεα εισι μελισσαων αδιναων,Πετρης εκ γλαφυρης αιει νεον ερχομεναων,Βοτρυδον δε πετονται επ ' ανθεσιν ειαρινοισιν,Αἱ μεν τ ' ενθα ἁλις... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 118:1-21

Opposition, deliverance, thanksgiving. The psalmist (or the nation) is passing, or has just passed, through great distress. He (it) has been the object of malignant and determined attack; he has been surrounded by enemies, and been in peril of his life; he has then, as always, sought help from above; and he has been so graciously relieved that he has the sense of deliverance in his soul, and the song of triumph on his lips. I. HUMAN OPPOSITION . This begins in: 1. Hatred ; ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 118:1-29

The first eighteen verses are the song of the procession as it winds its way slowly up the hill to the great gate of the temple, sung alternately, as it would seem, by the two halves of the procession. Psalms 118:19 is the utterance of the leader, in the name of the whole hand, on their arrival before the gates. Psalms 118:20 is the reply made to them by those inside. The procession, as it enters, sings Psalms 118:21-24 antiphonally as before, all joining in Psalms 118:25 . Those... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 118:12

They compassed me about like bees ; i . e . in vast numbers, and with intense energy, and a furious desire to injure (comp. Deuteronomy 1:44 ; and the powerful description of Virgil, 'Georg.,' 4:236-238). They are quenched as the fire of thorns . Their fury dies away and goes out suddenly, like a fire kindled among thorns, which blazes up with vast heat and noise, but in a short time dies down and disappears. For in the Name of the Lord I will destroy them (see the comment on ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 118:12

They compassed me about like bees - (a) As thick or numerous as bees;(b) armed as bees - or, their weapons might be compared to the stings of bees.They are quenched as the fire of thorns - The Septuagint and the Vulgate render this, “They burn as the fire of thorns.” The connection would seem to demand this, but the Hebrew will not bear it. The figure is changed in the Hebrew, as is not uncommon. The mind of the psalmist at first recalls the number and the malignity of his foes; it then... 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 118:12

They compassed. Figure of speech Anaphora ( App-6 ), repeated from Psalms 118:11 . are quenched. Septuagint reads "blazed up". the name. See note on Psalms 20:1 . read more

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