Psalm 124

 124 (Biblical text in italics)

1 “Had it not been Yahweh who was on our side,”  God is in control and totally sovereign.
Let Israel now say,  This line may have been said by a priest leading corporate thanksgiving.

2 “Had it not been Yahweh who was on our side
When men rose up against us,  This probably refers to God delivering Israel from Egypt, but there have been numerous instances in history where it has been clear that God is intervening for His people (the whole book of Judges, for example).

3 Then they would have swallowed us alive,  Here, the Psalmist is pondering what would have happened to them if men were the ones in control.  “Swallowed us alive” is a phrase used to indicate that their enemies would have killed them (see Proverbs 1:12 for clarification).
When their anger was kindled against us;

4 Then the waters would have flowed over us,
The stream would have swept over our soul;

5 Then the raging waters would have swept over our soul.”  Notice the repetition used in this - as in a lot of poetry/songs.


6 Blessed be Yahweh,
Who has not given us to be prey for their teeth.  This is imagery as if their enemies are lions.

7 Our soul has escaped as a bird out of the snare of the trapper;
The snare is broken and we have escaped.  Our bonds to sin are broken.  We are free in Christ.  Christ broke the chains binding me to sin.  While I still struggle, victory is now possible.  I can resist temptation and fly to Him.

8 Our help is in the name of Yahweh,
Who made heaven and earth.  We have nothing to fear when the King of all fights for us because we are His children.  The Lord continues to fight for and deliver His children’s souls (Ephesians 6:10-20).

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