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Psalm 124

Thanksgiving for Israel’s Deliverance

A Song of Ascents. Of David.

1

If it had not been the L ord who was on our side

—let Israel now say—

2

if it had not been the L ord who was on our side,

when our enemies attacked 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 L ord,

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 L ord,

who made heaven and earth.


6. Blessed be Jehovah! The Psalmist now exhorts the godly to a grateful acknowledgment of the divine goodness, and as it were puts words into their mouth. Here also he shows by another similitude, that it would have been all over with them had not God succoured them; affirming that they were delivered not otherwise than if some one had plucked the prey from the teeth of a wild and cruel beast. Of the same import is the third similitude, That they were on all sides entrapped and entangled in the snares of their enemies, even as little birds caught in the net he stretched under the hand of the fowler; and that when they were delivered, it was just as if one should set at liberty birds which had been taken. The amount is, that the people of God, feeble, without counsel, and destitute of aid, had not only to deal with blood-thirsty and furious beasts, but were also ensnared by bird-nets and stratagems, so that being greatly inferior to their enemies as well in policy as in open force, they were besieged by many deaths. From this it may be easily gathered that they were miraculously preserved.


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