TRV
Translation
King James Version
¶ A Song of degrees of David. If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, now may Israel say;
Complete Jewish Bible
A song of ascents. By David: If ADONAI hadn't been for us -let Isra'el repeat it -
World English Bible Messianic
If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, let Israel now say,
Geneva Bible (1599)
A song of degrees, or Psalme of David. If the Lord had not bene on our side, (may Israel now say)
Young's Literal Translation
A Song of the Ascents, by David. Save for Jehovah--who hath been for us, (Pray, let Israel say),
In the KJVVerse 16,104 of 31,102
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Commentary on Psalms 124 verses 1–5
1 ¶ A Song of degrees of David. If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, now may Israel say;
2 If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us:
3 Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us:
4 Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul:
5 Then the proud waters had gone over our soul.
The people of God, being here called upon to praise God for their deliverance, are to take notice,
I. Of the malice of men, by which they were reduced to the very brink of ruin. Let Israel say that there was but a step between them and death: the more desperate the disease appears to have been the more does the skill of the Physician appear in the cure. Observe, 1. Whence the threatening danger came: Men rose up against us, creatures of our own kind, and yet bent upon our ruin. Homo homini lupus - Man is a wolf to man. No marvel that the red dragon, the roaring lion, should seek to swallow us up; but that men should thirst after the blood of men, Absalom after the blood of his own father, that a woman should be drunk with the blood of saints, is what, with St. John, we may wonder at with great admiration. From men we may expect humanity, yet there are those whose tender mercies are cruel. But what was the matter with these men? Why their wrath was kindled against us (Psa 124:3); something or other they were angry at, and then no less would serve than the destruction of those they had conceived a displeasure against. Wrath is cruel and anger is outrageous. Their wrath was kindled as fire ready to consume us. They were proud; and the wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor. They were daring in their attempt; they rose up against us, rose in rebellion, with a resolution to swallow us up alive. 2. How far it went, and how fatal it would have been if it had gone a little further: "We should have been devoured as a lamb by a lion, not only slain, but swallowed up, so that there would have been no relics of us remaining, swallowed up with so much haste, ere we were aware, that we should have gone down alive to the pit. We should have been deluged as the low grounds by a land-flood or the sands by a high spring-tide." This similitude he dwells upon, with the ascents which bespeak this a song of degrees, or risings, like the rest. The waters had overwhelmed us. What of us? Why the stream had gone over our souls, our lives, our comforts, all that is dear to us. What waters? Why the proud waters. God suffers the enemies of his people sometimes to prevail very far against them, that his own power may appear the more illustrious in their deliverance.
II. Of the goodness of God, by which they were rescued from the very brink of ruin: "The Lord was on our side; and, if he had not been so, we should have been undone." 1. "God was on our side; he took our part, espoused our cause, and appeared for us. He was our helper, and a very present help, a help on our side, nigh at hand. He was with us, not only for us, but among us, and commander-in-chief of our forces." 2. That God was Jehovah; there the emphasis lies. "If it had not been Jehovah himself, a God of infinite power and perfection, that had undertaken our deliverance, our enemies would have overpowered us." Happy the people, therefore, whose God is Jehovah, a God all-sufficient. Let Israel say this, to his honour, and resolve never to forsake him.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–5. Public domain.
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Augustine of HippoAD 430
SERMON 335F.2
The holy martyrs, you see, did not rely on themselves but asked for relief from Christ. That is why they were also victorious. Listen to the voices of those who do not rely on themselves; it is the voice of the holy martyrs: “Unless the Lord were among us, let Israel now say; unless the Lord were among us when people rose up against us, they would perhaps have swallowed us alive.” The martyrs say, “Unless the Lord were among us,” unless he had helped us, unless he had strengthened our hearts with faith, unless he had endowed us with patience, unless he had provided us with power as we fought, “they would perhaps have swallowed us alive.”
Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 124
"If the Lord Himself had not been in us, now may Israel say" [Psalm 124:1]...When? "When men rose up against us" [Psalm 124:2]. Marvel not: they have been subdued: for they were men; but the Lord was in us, man was not in us: for men rose up against us. Nevertheless men would crush other men, unless in those men who could not be crushed, there were not man, but the Lord. For what could men do to you, while you rejoiced, and sang, and securely held everlasting bliss? What could men do to you when they rose against you, if the Lord had not been on your side? What could they do? "Perchance they had swallowed us up quick" [Psalm 124:3]. "Swallowed us up:" they would not first have slain us, and so have swallowed us up. O inhuman, O cruel men! The Church swallows not thus. To Peter it was said, " Kill and eat:" [Acts 10:13] not, Swallow quick. Because no man enters into the body of the Church, save he be slain first. What he was dies, that he may be what he was not. Otherwise, he who is not slain, and is not eaten by the Church, may be in the visible number of the people: but he cannot be in the number of the people which is known to God, whereof the Apostle says, "The Lord knows who are His," [2 Timothy 2:19] save he be eaten; and eaten he cannot be, save he first be slain. The Pagan comes, still in him idolatry lives; he must be grafted among the members of Christ: that he may be engrafted, he must needs be eaten; but he cannot be eaten by the Church, save first he be slain. Let him renounce the world, then is he slain; let him believe in God, then is he eaten...But they in whom the Lord is, are slain and die not. But they who consent and live, are swallowed quick, when swallowed up they die. But they who have suffered, and have not yielded to tribulations, rejoice and say, "If the Lord had not been in us," etc.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Psalm 124:1, a foundational "Song of Ascents" attributed to David, launches into a profound and communal declaration of Israel's absolute dependence on the Lord for its very survival and deliverance from overwhelming threats. This opening verse serves as a powerful, almost liturgical, preamble to a psalm that vividly recounts the existential dangers faced by the nation, asserting with unwavering conviction that without God's direct, personal, and active intervention, Israel would have been utterly consumed. It establishes the central theme of divine deliverance, prompting the entire nation to confess that their continued existence, freedom, and protection are solely attributable to the Lord's unwavering presence and protective power.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalm 124:1 employs several impactful literary devices that amplify its message. The most prominent is the Hypothetical Statement ("If [it had not been] the LORD who was on our side"), which immediately establishes a dramatic tension. By presenting a counterfactual scenario, the psalmist powerfully underscores the dire and devastating consequences that would have ensued without divine intervention, thereby magnifying the Lord's saving work. This is closely linked to Implied Consequence, where the catastrophic outcome of God's absence is left unsaid but is palpably felt by the audience, allowing them to fill in the blank with their own experiences of peril and vulnerability. The phrase "now may Israel say" functions as a powerful Call to Confession or Direct Address to the nation, transforming the psalm from a mere historical recounting into a liturgical and communal declaration. This also highlights the Corporate Voice, as the use of "our" and "Israel" emphasizes a collective experience of peril and deliverance, fostering unity and shared gratitude among the people. The entire verse serves as a powerful Proem or introduction, setting the stage for the detailed recounting of dangers and deliverance in the subsequent verses, building anticipation for the full testimony of God's saving acts.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 124:1 serves as a profound theological statement on divine sovereignty and the absolute necessity of God's intervention for the preservation of His people. It articulates a core biblical truth: humanity, in its own strength, is utterly insufficient against overwhelming forces, whether physical, political, or spiritual. The psalm's declarative "If it had not been the LORD who was on our side" is not merely a historical observation of past events but a timeless theological principle affirming that all true deliverance, sustenance, and victory ultimately flow from God's active presence and power. This resonates deeply with the broader biblical narrative of God as the covenant-keeping Deliverer, who consistently acts on behalf of His chosen people, not because of their merit or inherent strength, but solely because of His faithfulness to His own promises and His steadfast love. It cultivates a theology of humble dependence and profound gratitude, where all glory for salvation is rightly ascribed to God alone, the sovereign Lord of history and the protector of His people.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 124:1 offers a timeless and vital lesson for believers today, both individually and corporately. In a world that often encourages self-reliance, attributes success to human ingenuity or strength, and dismisses the need for divine intervention, this verse calls us back to a fundamental and humbling truth: our very existence, our deliverances from life's myriad trials, and our victories over spiritual adversaries are ultimately rooted in God's active, personal, and unwavering presence "on our side." It compels us to cultivate a spirit of profound gratitude, acknowledging that every good and perfect gift, every escape from peril, and every moment of peace comes from above. Without the Lord's sustaining hand, we would indeed be overwhelmed by the challenges of life, the schemes of the enemy, and the brokenness of the world. When facing personal struggles, spiritual attacks, societal pressures, or even global crises, this psalm powerfully reminds us to shift our gaze from the perceived magnitude of the threat to the omnipotence and faithfulness of our God. It fosters humility, strengthens faith, and encourages a confident, yet utterly dependent, posture before the One who continually fights for us, sustains us, and delivers us. Let us, like ancient Israel, make it our confident and communal declaration: "If it had not been the LORD who was on our side!"
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is a "Song of degrees" or "Song of Ascents," and why is it significant for this psalm?
Answer: "Song of degrees" is the King James Version translation of the Hebrew Shir Hama'alot, which is more commonly rendered "Song of Ascents." This title designates a unique collection of fifteen psalms (Psalms 120-134) traditionally sung by Jewish pilgrims as they "ascended" to Jerusalem for the three great annual festivals: Passover, Weeks (Pentecost), and Booths (Tabernacles). The significance for Psalm 124:1 is profound: it frames the psalm as a communal song of worship, remembrance, and thanksgiving, meant to be declared by the entire nation. It implies a journey, both physical and spiritual, where the pilgrims reflect on God's past deliverances and express their ongoing dependence on Him as they approach His holy city. This context emphasizes the corporate nature of the declaration in verse 1, making it a national anthem of divine dependence and a shared testimony of God's unfailing protection throughout their history, as they journeyed towards His dwelling place in Jerusalem.
Why is it important that "the LORD" (YHWH) is specifically mentioned as being "on our side"?
Answer: The use of "the LORD" (YHWH) is crucial because it refers to God's personal, covenantal name, revealed to Moses at the burning bush (see Exodus 3:14). This is not a generic deity or a distant, impersonal force, but the specific God of Israel, who entered into a unique and unbreakable relationship with His people through a covenant. When the psalm states that YHWH was "on our side," it emphasizes His active, personal, and unwavering commitment to His covenant promises. It signifies His unique role as Israel's divine warrior, protector, and advocate, distinguishing Him from any other gods or human powers. This highlights that their deliverance was not due to chance, human strength, or the intervention of a distant deity, but to the specific, faithful, and powerful action of the God who has bound Himself to Israel and consistently acts on their behalf.
How does this verse, which emphasizes God's sole role in deliverance, relate to the concept of human responsibility or effort?
Answer: While Psalm 124:1 unequivocally attributes Israel's survival and deliverance to God alone, it does not negate human responsibility or effort. Instead, it places human actions within their proper theological framework: ultimately dependent on God's sustaining power and sovereign will. The psalm acknowledges that human efforts, no matter how valiant, courageous, or strategic, would have been utterly insufficient without God's decisive intervention. It's not about advocating for human passivity, but about recognizing that even when humans act, their success is ultimately enabled, empowered, and secured by God's overarching providence. For instance, Israel fought numerous battles, but it was consistently God who gave the victory, as declared in Deuteronomy 20:4. This verse cultivates profound humility, preventing pride in human achievement, and fosters a deep, abiding reliance on God, knowing that true security, lasting deliverance, and ultimate victory come from Him alone, even when He graciously chooses to use human instruments in His divine plan.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 124:1 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Just as ancient Israel declared that their very survival was solely due to the LORD being "on our side," believers today recognize that their spiritual salvation, eternal security, and deliverance from the dominion of sin and death are entirely dependent on God's decisive and singular intervention in Christ. Jesus, as "Immanuel," a name literally meaning "God with us" (as prophesied in Isaiah 7:14 and perfectly fulfilled in Matthew 1:23), is the ultimate and perfect embodiment of God being "on our side." Without His perfect life of obedience, His atoning death on the cross, and His victorious resurrection from the grave, humanity would have been utterly consumed by the overwhelming forces of sin, death, and the power of the enemy. The New Testament powerfully echoes this sentiment, declaring with triumphant certainty, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31). Christ's triumph over the principalities and powers, as vividly described in Colossians 2:15, is the ultimate deliverance, securing for His people a salvation that no earthly or spiritual foe can undo. Therefore, the Church, as the new Israel, continually declares with profound gratitude that if it had not been the Lord Jesus Christ who was on our side, we would be lost forever in our transgressions, but in Him, we have eternal life, an unshakeable hope, and the blessed assurance that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5-6).