11 The reference to an attack by the nations suggests the psalmist may have been a military leader.
12 In this context the phrase “in the name of the Lord” means “by the Lord’s power.”
13 Traditionally the verb has been derived from מוּל (mul, “to circumcise”) and translated “[I] cut [them] off” (see 557–558 II מוּל). However, it is likely that this is a homonym meaning “to fend off” (see II מול) or “to push away.” In this context, where the psalmist is reporting his past experience, the prefixed verbal form is best understood as a preterite. The phrase also occurs in vv. 11, 12.
14 Heb “were extinguished.”
15 The point seems to be that the hostility of the nations (v. 10) is short-lived, like a fire that quickly devours thorns and then burns out. Some, attempting to create a better parallel with the preceding line, emend דֹּעֲכוּ (do’akhu, “they were extinguished”) to בָּעֲרוּ (ba’aru, “they burned”). In this case the statement emphasizes their hostility.
16 Heb “pushing, you pushed me.” The infinitive absolute emphasizes the following verbal idea. The psalmist appears to address the nations as if they were an individual enemy. Some find this problematic and emend the verb form (which is a Qal perfect second masculine singular with a first person singular suffix) to נִדְחֵיתִי (nidkheti), a Niphal perfect first common singular, “I was pushed.”
17 Heb “to fall,” i.e., “that [I] might fall.”

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

All nations surrounded me;

in the name of the Lord I cut them off!

They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side;

in the name of the Lord I cut them off!

They surrounded me like bees;

they went out like a fire among thorns;

in the name of the Lord I cut them off!

I was pushed hard, so that I was falling,

but the Lord helped me.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

All the nations surrounded me,

but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.

They surrounded me on every side,

but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.

They swarmed around me like bees,

but they were consumed as quickly as burning thorns;

in the name of the Lord I cut them down.

I was pushed back and about to fall,

but the Lord helped me.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

All the nations surrounded me;

in the name of the Lord I destroyed them.

They surrounded me, yes, they surrounded me;

in the name of the Lord I destroyed them.

They surrounded me like bees;

they were extinguished like a fire among thorns;

in the name of the Lord I destroyed them.

They pushed me hard to make me fall,

but the Lord helped me.

NLTNew Living Translation

Though hostile nations surrounded me,

I destroyed them all with the authority of the Lord.

Yes, they surrounded and attacked me,

but I destroyed them all with the authority of the Lord.

They swarmed around me like bees;

they blazed against me like a crackling fire.

But I destroyed them all with the authority of the Lord.

My enemies did their best to kill me,

but the Lord rescued me.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

All nations surrounded me.

In the name of Yahweh I opposed them indeed.

They surrounded me; yes, they surrounded me.

In the name of Yahweh I opposed them indeed.

They surrounded me like bees;

they were extinguished like a fire of thorns.

In the name of Yahweh I opposed them indeed.

You pushed me hard to make me fall,

but Yahweh helped me.

KJV 1900King James Version

All nations compassed me about:

But in the name of the Lord will I destroy them.

They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about:

But in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.

They compassed me about like bees;

They are quenched as the fire of thorns:

For in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.

Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall:

But the Lord helped me.

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