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Psalm 118:11

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

9It is better to take refuge in the LORD, than to put confidence in princes.
10All the nations surrounded me, but in the LORD’s name I cut them off.
11They surrounded me, yes, they surrounded me. In the LORD’s name I indeed cut them off.
12They surrounded me like bees. They are quenched like the burning thorns. In the LORD’s name I cut them off.
13You pushed me back hard, to make me fall, but the LORD helped me.
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← Psalm 118:10Psalm 118:12 →
Notice

The repeated “They surrounded me” makes the danger feel close, while “cut them off” names a violent victory won in YHWH’s name.

Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.

What does repeating “They surrounded me” convey that saying it once would leave out?

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How does the violent language of victory affect your reading of the speaker’s trust in YHWH?

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Connect

Where else Scripture says this

5 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.

This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Psalm 88:17They came around me like water all day long. They completely engulfed me.Both speakers describe being surrounded, though Psalm 88 speaks of engulfing distress while Psalm 118 recounts victory.
Psalm 22:12–16Many bulls have surrounded me. Strong bulls of Bashan have encircled me.Both speakers describe being surrounded by threatening forces, with Psalm 22 picturing those forces as strong bulls.
1 Samuel 23:26Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain; and David hurried to get away for fear of Saul, for Saul and his …Being surrounded by enemies links the psalm’s battle language with David’s fear as Saul’s men close in to capture him.
Judges 15:14When he came to Lehi, the Philistines shouted as they met him. Then the LORD’s Spirit came mightily on him, and the ropes that were on his arms became as flax …Both passages connect deliverance amid hostile forces with the LORD, through his name in the psalm and his Spirit at Lehi.
1 Chronicles 19:10Now when Joab saw that the battle was set against him before and behind, he chose some of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the …Both passages describe enemies threatening from surrounding positions, with Joab facing a battle before and behind him.
Where this verse fits

Fear for the future. injustice and anger. sermon or Bible study notes.

What the Bible says about fear →What the Bible says about anger →
One step

Something small to carry out of this verse

Read verses 9–13 and mark each mention of YHWH

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Encouragement

This battle account gives no license for personal revenge. Its confidence rests in YHWH’s help, even when the threat comes from every side.

Now put it in your words.

Start an entry on Psalm 118:11. Write what it stirs. Psalmlog sets your words beside Scripture and gives you one next step. Your first entry is free, no account needed.

Keep goingPsalm 118 · the whole chapter with its connection mapPsalms · every chapterBuild a reading plan through Psalms

Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).