Psalms 124
A thanksgiving psalm for deliverance from overwhelming enemies.
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 Song of Ascents; of David. 'If it had not been HaShem who was for us', let Israel now say;
'If it had not been HaShem who was for us, when men rose up against us,
Then they had swallowed us up alive, when their wrath was kindled against us;
Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul;
Then the proud waters had gone over our soul.'
Blessed be HaShem, 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.
Our help is in the name of HaShem, who made heaven and earth.