Psalms 118:10 Meaning and Explanation
“All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Though surrounded by hostile nations, the speaker will defeat them in the LORD's name.
The Context of Psalms 118:10
Surrounded by enemies, the speaker claims victory through the LORD's power.
What Does Psalms 118:10 Mean?
The imagery is vivid and stark: all nations have encircled the speaker, a posture of military siege. The danger is complete and overwhelming. Yet the speaker does not capitulate or despair. Instead, he asserts that in the name of the LORD—relying on God's authority, power, and character—he will destroy them. This is not arrogant boasting but faith-filled defiance grounded in a power greater than mere military might.
The shift from passive victimhood (being compassed) to active resistance (will destroy) happens entirely through invoking God's name. In Scripture, God's name represents his revealed character and active power. To act in God's name is to act as his representative and agent. This verse affirms that the faithful need not be passive victims before overwhelming odds; reliance on God's power transforms powerlessness into the basis for deliverance and victory.
Psalms 118:10 in the Original Language
שֵׁם (shem), 'name' — in Hebrew thought, the name carries the essence and power of the one named.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 118:10
What does Psalms 118:10 mean?
Though surrounded by hostile nations, the speaker will defeat them in the LORD's name.
What is the context of Psalms 118:10?
Surrounded by enemies, the speaker claims victory through the LORD's power.