124 A Song of Ascents. Of David.
124:1 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 people rose up against us,
3 then they would have swallowed us up alive,
when their anger was kindled against us;
4 then the flood would have swept us away,
the torrent would have gone over us;
5 then over us would have gone
the raging waters.
6 Blessed be the Lord,
who has not given us
as prey to their teeth!
7 We 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.
Section Overview
This is a thanksgiving hymn for the community, particularly suited to an occasion in which God’s people have been under threat but have been delivered. The title attributes the psalm to David, and it is conceivable that he wrote this psalm in response to some deliverance such as those described in 2 Samuel 5:17–25. The words, however, are quite general and therefore applicable to a wide variety of settings; God’s people have known many occasions on which this psalm provided just the right hymn.
Whatever the origin of the psalm, it is now part of the Songs of Ascents (cf. Section Overview of Psalm 120). The implication of this seems to be that the faithful would sing it in connection with their pilgrimage to Jerusalem; the deliverance of the whole people would allow them to continue journeying there (cf. comment on 122:6–9).
The opening verses of Psalm 124 reflect on a past situation that might well have gone differently than it did (“if it had not been . . . then”; vv. 1–5). The next two verses offer thanks to God for the outcome of what must have been a close call (vv. 6–7). The final verse stresses that there is one true source for help, namely, the Lord (v. 8).
Section Outline
I. Had Not the Lord Helped Us (124:1–5)
II. We Have Had a Narrow Escape (124:6–7)
III. Our Help (124:8)
Response
As indicated above, we may guess at the occasion that brought Psalm 124 about, but we also realize that, as a psalm, its purpose is to serve as a song for a variety of later occasions. By finishing with mention of the “name of the Lord” (v. 8), the psalm focuses especially on that name as the worshipers know it in the sanctuary. God delivers their community from dangers and crises so that they might worship him and “bless” him (v. 6). This brings reassurance: the threats may be fierce, and even deadly, but they will not ultimately succeed in destroying the community that worships the true Creator. It also brings clarity: God’s people exist in order to worship him together.
Christian communities continue to face analogous threats to their existence. Devastating as these have been and will be, the Lord will ensure that the persecutors will eventually fail. Christians living in lands where they are not subject to such persecution should join their voices to those of their suffering brethren as they give thanks for deliverance and should deepen their own sense of commitment to their community’s public worship, anticipating its fulfillment in glory (Rev. 19:6–8).Psalm 124
Psalm 125