Psalms 124

King James Version (KJV) · English

1 If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, now may Israel say; 2 If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us: 3 Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us: 4 Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul: 5 Then the proud waters had gone over our soul. 6 Blessed be the Lord, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth. 7 Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped. 8 Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Commentary — not Bible text

Psalms 124:1-2

PSALM 124

Psa 124:1-8. The writer, for the Church, praises God for past, and expresses trust for future, deliverance from foes.

1-2. on our side--for us (Psa 56:9).

now--or, "oh! let Israel"

Psalms 124:3

3. Then--that is, the time of our danger.

quick--literally, "living" (Nu 16:32, 33), description of ferocity.

Psalms 124:6-7

6-7. The figure is changed to that of a rapacious wild beast (Psa 3:7), and then of a fowler (Psa 91:3), and complete escape is denoted by breaking the net.

Psalms 124:8

8. (Compare Psa 121:2).

name--in the usual sense (Psa 5:11; 20:1). He thus places over against the great danger the omnipotent God, and drowns, as it were in an anthem, the wickedness of the whole world and of hell, just as a great fire consumes a little drop of water [Luther].

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