Psalms 124

A thanksgiving psalm for deliverance from overwhelming enemies.

Psalms 124 - Our Help Is in the Lord

Psalm 124 opens with a repeated conditional, "If it had not been the LORD who was on our side," as Israel reflects on how close they came to being swallowed up or overwhelmed by rising waters. The chapter's rescue theme echoes Romans 8:31's question of who can stand against a people God defends.


A gradual canticle. They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Sion: he shall not be moved for ever that dwelleth

In Jerusalem. Mountains are round about it: so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth now and for ever.

For the Lord will not leave the rod of sinners upon the lot of the just: that the just may not stretch forth their hands to iniquity.

Do good, O Lord, to those that are good, and to the upright of heart.

But such as turn aside into bonds, the Lord shall lead out with the workers of iniquity: peace upon Israel.

The psalm ends on a vivid image of relief, comparing the escaped soul to "a bird out of the snare of the fowlers," with the snare broken and the people set free. Continue the pattern of trust from <a href="/bible/drc/psalms/chapter-123">Psalms 123</a>, or move ahead to <a href="/bible/drc/psalms/chapter-125">Psalms 125</a> and its picture of Zion's unshakable security.