The Book of Psalms

Psalm 124

Psalm CXXIV · Vol. II, p. 1069

The church blesseth God for a miraculous deliverance.

Margin referencesNotes ↓

^aA song of degrees of David.

1 If it^b had not been the LORD who was ^con our side, now¹ may Israel say;

B.C. cir. 1020.

a Ps.cxx.-cxxxiv. titles.

b Ex.15.1, &c.

c Ps.54.4; 118.6. He.13.5. Ro.8.31.

1 This now is applicable in every period of the church; for there never was a time since the days of Cain when the sons of men did not rise up to destroy the children of God.—C.

2 If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when ^dmen rose up against us:

d Ge.3.15. Ps.37.32; 2.1,2; 3.1; 10.18

3 Then^e they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us:

e Ps.22.12,13,16. Pr.1.12. Je.51.34. Jonah 1.17. Nu.16.32.

4 Then^g the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul:

g Job 38.11. Ps.18.4; 69.1,2. Is.8.7,8; 43.2; 59.19. Je.46.7,8. Da.9.26; 11.22,40. 2 Ch.20.12. Re.12.16.

5 Then the proud waters had gone over our soul.

6 Blessed^h be the LORD, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth.

h Ps.9.2,3; 18.49,50; 48.3-11; 46.6-11; 72.18. 1 Sa.17.34,35. Pr.30.14.

7 Ourⁱ soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare² of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped.

i Ps.91.3; 25.15,17; 119.110. Pr.6.5. 2 Ti.2.26.

2 The snare of appetite, the snare of false doctrine, and the snare of covetousness, which Satan prepared for our Lord, Mat.4.3,6,9. The world also prepares the snare of smiles and frowns, but out of them all the Lord delivers his servants.—C.

8 Our^j help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

j Ps.121.2; 20.5,7; 60.12; 89.19. Pr.18.10. Ho.13.9. 1 Pe.4.19. 2 Co.1.10.

Notes

Reflections.—How furiously the enemies of the church rage against her, and threaten to carry all before them! But power and policy in vain unite to destroy the souls faithful to our God. And when we are in appearance nearest to be overcome and perish, we then may be made more eminently to experience the salvation of God.