What does Psalm 118:13 mean?

This verse speaks about an enemy of Israel. The original Hebrew is phrased as if speaking to this opponent, most literally saying, "you pushed." This also involves a poetic turn. The words translated "pushed hard" or "pushed violently" are both from the same Hebrew verb, using different cases. This is something like saying, "you forcefully forced me" in English.

The attack was effective and would have succeeded if not for the Lord's intervention. This part of the psalm may look back to Israel's struggles against Canaanite nations after the exodus (Judges 3:30; 4:24; 8:28) or in the days of Israel's kings (1 Samuel 17:51; 23:5; 30:18; 2 Samuel 5:25). The expression of this verse seems appropriate when considering how hostile groups opposed the rebuilding of Jerusalem after the exile (Nehemiah 4:14; 6:16).

Other scholars think this passage looks ahead, not back, and that it anticipates victories of Messiah.