What does Psalm 118:12 mean?
Most likely, this segment is a call and response song, where the people repeat a phrase after prompts from a leader. This passage speaks of Israel's victory over enemy nations. It's possible this is a prophetic look ahead to Israel's success under the Messiah. It may also refer to early conflicts in Canaan (Judges 3:30; 4:24; 8:28) or during the era of kings (1 Samuel 17:51; 23:5; 30:18; 2 Samuel 5:25). It may also suggest the hostile forces that opposed the project to rebuild Jerusalem (Nehemiah 4:14; 6:16).Symbolism here implies an enemy moving quickly and in more than one location. Bees and wasps attack by swarming (Deuteronomy 1:44). Dry thorn bushes are natural tinder: easy to ignite and burn quickly (Isaiah 33:12). An alternative view is that the enemy swarmed in like bees, but Israel defeated them as completely as fire consuming thorns. The enemy is "cut off:" entirely defeated and their attack foiled.
A famous moment involving the prophet Elisha illustrates how the Lord provides power in hopeless situations. The king of Syria sent chariots and horses to surround and capture Elisha, because he told Israel where Syrian troops were amassing. Elisha reassured his worried servant that God was on their side, and the servant was suddenly able to see a vast number of flaming horses and chariots (2 Kings 6:8–17). Elisha used God's supernatural help to capture the entire Syrian company (2 Kings 6:18–23).
