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A Song of Ascents. Of David.
If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, let Israel now say;
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if it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us,
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then they had swallowed us up alive, when their wrath was kindled against us;
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then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul;
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then the proud waters had gone over our soul.
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Blessed be the LORD, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth!
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Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped.
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Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
🕊️🙏📖 Summary of Psalm 124 – “If the Lord Had Not Been on Our Side”
Psalm 124 is the fifth Song of Ascents, written by David.
This psalm is a thankful confession that the Lord is the One who saved Israel from total destruction.
Without the Lord on their side, the people would have been swallowed alive by their enemies. But because of the Lord, they escaped like a bird from a snare.
📌 1. If the Lord Had Not Been with Us (verses 1–5)
➡️ “If it had not been the LORD who was on our side — let Israel now say — then we had been swallowed up alive…”
➡️ “The waters had swept us away, and the stream had gone over our soul…”
🎯 The enemy may be strong, but the Lord is greater.
Without Him, we would not endure.
📌 2. The Lord Saves Like a Bird Escaping the Snare (verses 6–7)
➡️ “Blessed be the LORD, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth!”
➡️ “Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped!”
🎯 The Lord delivers us from hidden traps.
📌 3. A Strong Confession of Faith (verse 8)
➡️ “Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.”
🎯 Firm confidence: not man, not the powers of the world, but the LORD alone.
📖 Main Lessons
- We are saved not because of our own strength, but because the Lord is on our side.
- True faith knows that without the Lord, we would perish.
- Every victory is a gift from God, not a personal achievement.
- The Lord is able to deliver from the enemy’s traps, even those we do not notice.
- Thanksgiving should always be directed to the Lord, not to luck.
✨ Spiritual Meaning (New Testament)
📖 Romans 8:31
“If God be for us, who can be against us?”
➡️ Psalm 124 is the foundation of this verse.
📖 1 Corinthians 10:13
“God is faithful, and he will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able…”
➡️ The Lord provides a way of escape, as a bird escapes the snare.
📖 Ephesians 6:10–12
“Put on the whole armour of God…”
➡️ We wrestle not against flesh and blood — our enemy is spiritual, yet the Lord is with us.
📖 John 10:28
“Jesus said: ‘No one shall pluck them out of my hand.’”
➡️ We are safe in the Lord’s protection.
🕊️ “If it had not been the LORD who was on our side… we had been swallowed up alive.” – Psalm 124:1–3
🕊️ “The snare is broken, and we are escaped.” – Psalm 124:7
🕊️ “Our help is in the name of the LORD.” – Psalm 124:8
