Psalm chapter 124
English Standard Version
1 If it had not been the Lord who was on our side — let Israel now say — 2if it had not been the Lord who was on our side when people rose up against us, 3then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their anger was kindled against us; 4then the flood would have swept us away, the torrent would have gone over us; 5then over us would have gone the raging waters. 6Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us as prey to their teeth! 7We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped! 8 Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
New International Version
New American Standard Bible
1'Had it not been the Lord who was on our side,' Let Israel say, 2'Had it not been the Lord who was on our side When people rose up against us, 3Then they would have swallowed us alive, When their anger was kindled against us; 4Then the waters would have flooded over us, The stream would have swept over our souls; 5Then the raging waters would have swept over our souls.' 6Blessed be the Lord, Who has not given us to be torn by their teeth. 7Our souls have escaped like a bird from the trapper’s snare; The snare is broken and we have escaped. 8Our help is in the name of the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.
Christian Standard Bible
1A song of ascents. Of David. If the Lord had not been on our side— let Israel say— 2If the Lord had not been on our side when people attacked us, 3then they would have swallowed us alive in their burning anger against us. 4Then the water would have engulfed us; the torrent would have swept over us;
New Living Translation
1What if the Lord had not been on our side? Let all Israel repeat: 2What if the Lord had not been on our side when people attacked us? 3They would have swallowed us alive in their burning anger. 4The waters would have engulfed us; a torrent would have overwhelmed us. 5Yes, the raging waters of their fury would have overwhelmed our very lives.
King James Version
New King James Version
1{A Song of Ascents. Of David.} “If it had not been the Lord who was on our side,” Let Israel now say— 2“If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, When men rose up against us, 3Then they would have swallowed us alive, When their wrath was kindled against us; 4Then the waters would have overwhelmed us, The stream would have gone over our soul; 5Then the swollen waters Would have gone over our soul.” 6Blessed be the Lord, Who has not given us as prey to their teeth. 7 Our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers; The snare is broken, and we have escaped. 8 Our help is in the name of the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.
What does Psalm chapter 124 mean?
Israelites would "ascend" up the hills towards Jerusalem on Mount Zion (2 Samuel 5:7; 1 Kings 8:1). The fifteen psalms (Psalm 120—134) associated with those yearly journeys (Deuteronomy 16:16) are each called "a song of ascents." Depending on when they were composed, authorship is uncertain. Some psalms are labeled "of David" as a reference to style, not direct authorship (Psalm 86:1). If that is the case here, then many of the references may relate to Israel's exile and return (2 Chronicles 36:17–21; Ezra 2:1).The psalmist's first priority is for Israel to recognize their dependence on the Lord. Over and over, the nation's history showed them overcoming much larger and more powerful enemies through God's power (Exodus 12:41; Deuteronomy 4:37–38; 7:7; 2 Kings 19:32–36). This was crucial for Israel's survival when faced with numerous hostile nations (2 Samuel 10:6; Numbers 21:21–24; Nehemiah 4:1–4). Without Him, they would be lost (Psalm 124:1–2).
Were the Lord not working on Israel's behalf, they would have been swept away. The psalmist compares these dangers to a flood: the ultimate symbol of overwhelming force. Without God's protection and provision, the nation would be erased completely. Instead, they survived (Psalm 124:3–5).
Since God chose to protect Israel, it is right to offer Him worship. The Lord who could have let Israel be torn apart like prey or caught like a bird in a net chose mercy. By relying on the power of the Creator, we access the greatest possible "help" to be had (Psalm 124:6–8).
