Psalms 124:1-6

Praise for Rescue from Enemies.

1 "1Had it not been the LORD who was on our side," 2Let Israel now say,
2 "Had it not been the LORD who was on our side When men rose up against us,
3 Then they would have 3swallowed us alive, When their 4anger was kindled against us;
4 Then the 5waters would have engulfed us, The stream would have swept over our soul;
5 Then the 6raging waters would have swept over our soul."
6 Blessed be the LORD, Who has not given us to be 7torn by their teeth.

Psalms 124:1-6 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 124

\\<>\\. Some think this psalm was written by David, after the conquest of the Philistines and Ammonites, and other nations that rose up against him and Israel, like the proud waves of the sea, and spread themselves like a flood; and whose destruction was like the breach of many waters, 2Sa 5:18,20, 10:19. Others, after his deliverance from the persecution of Saul, or from the conspiracy of Absalom. Theodoret is of opinion that David wrote this by a prophetic spirit, concerning the enemies of the Jews, upon their return to their own land, from the Babylonish captivity; who envied them, and rose up against them, but the Lord delivered them. And others apply it to the times of Antiochus, when the Jewish church and state were threatened with ruin; but the Lord appeared for them, in raising up the Maccabees. Kimchi interprets it of the Jews in captivity; and drama of the deliverance of the children of Israel at the Red sea. It may be applied to any time of distress the church and people of God have been in, and he has wrought salvation for them.

Cross References 7

  • 1. Psalms 94:17
  • 2. Psalms 129:1
  • 3. Numbers 16:30; Psalms 35:25; Psalms 56:1; Psalms 57:3; Proverbs 1:12
  • 4. Genesis 39:19; Psalms 138:7
  • 5. Job 22:11; Psalms 18:16; Psalms 32:6; Psalms 69:2; Psalms 144:7
  • 6. Job 38:11
  • 7. Psalms 27:2; Proverbs 30:14

Footnotes 3

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