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.
If it had not been, Yahweh, who was on our side, oh might Israel say:
If it had not been, Yahweh, who was on our side, when men rose up against us,
Then, alive, had they swallowed us up, in the glow of their anger against us;
Then, the waters, had whelmed us, the torrent, gone over our soul;
Then, had gone over our soul the waters so proud!
Blessed, be Yahweh, who gave us not as prey to their teeth.
Our soul, as a bird, hath escaped from the snare of the fowlers, The snare, is broken, and, we, are escaped:
Our help, is in the Name of Yahweh, who made heaven and earth.