King James Version
Psalm 124
Reflecting on national survival, this fifth Song of Ascents (Psalms 120 to 134) in Book V offers a collective song of thanksgiving for escaping overwhelming danger. The speaker imagines what would have happened if divine help had been absent when enemies rose up, comparing the threat to raging floods, ferocious predators, or a hunter's snare. Israel's soul escaped like a bird from a broken trap, turning survival into cause for praise. The psalm emphasizes that deliverance was not earned by human strength alone. A key verse states the concluding conviction: 'Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.' It affirms lasting gratitude.
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.
GO DEEPER
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