Psalms 118:13 Meaning and Explanation
“Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Though enemies pressed hard to make him fall, the LORD sustained him.
The Context of Psalms 118:13
Despite violent enemy pressure, God's help enabled survival and standing.
What Does Psalms 118:13 Mean?
The speaker addresses his enemies directly: 'Thou hast thrust sore at me.' The Hebrew suggests violent pushing, a forceful attempt to topple or defeat. The aim was explicit—'that I might fall'—to bring about his ruin or destruction. This is not gentle opposition but deliberate, forceful aggression. Yet the speaker maintains his composure and refuses to claim that the enemies' strength determined his outcome. Instead, he pivots: 'but the LORD helped me.'
This pivot is the spiritual heart of the verse. The enemies' intention and effort were real, but they did not achieve their purpose. God's help—his sustaining presence and power—proved decisive. The speaker remains standing, not because the pressure was gentle but because God's support was stronger. This reflects a realistic faith that acknowledges real opposition while maintaining trust that God's intervention is both possible and decisive.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 118:13
What does Psalms 118:13 mean?
Though enemies pressed hard to make him fall, the LORD sustained him.
What is the context of Psalms 118:13?
Despite violent enemy pressure, God's help enabled survival and standing.