Psalms 118:12

"They surrounded me, yes, they surrounded me. In the LORD’s name I indeed cut them off."

Key Reflection

This verse speaks of intense opposition and persecution, yet in the midst of it, the psalmist finds strength in God's name to overcome his enemies. It illustrates both the severity of the adversaries' attack and the divine power that enables the believer to triumph.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

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 instantly adverts to the rapid manner in which they were destroyed.

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