TRV
Translation
King James Version
If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us:
American Standard Version
If it had not been Jehovah who was on our side, When men rose up against us;
World English Bible Messianic
if it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us;
Young's Literal Translation
Save for Jehovah--who hath been for us, In the rising up of man against us,
In the KJVVerse 16,105 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
Psalms 124:2 stands as a powerful testament to divine intervention, declaring that Israel's very existence and deliverance from overwhelming human opposition were solely due to the LORD's active presence and defense. As a communal song of thanksgiving within the "Songs of Ascents," it underscores the absolute sovereignty and indispensable faithfulness of God, asserting that without His direct involvement, the nation would have been utterly consumed by its adversaries, thereby highlighting His role as their ultimate, indispensable deliverer.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The psalmist employs several potent literary devices in Psalms 124:2 to underscore its profound message. The most prominent is the Rhetorical Question/Conditional Statement, initiated by "If [it had not been] the LORD..." This structure immediately draws the reader into contemplating a dire alternative reality, powerfully emphasizing the absolute necessity of God's intervention. It functions as a form of A Fortiori Argument, suggesting that if God had not acted, the outcome would have been catastrophic, thereby magnifying the greatness of His actual deliverance. The phrase "men rose up against us" uses Synecdoche, where "men" represents the collective force of all human adversaries, encompassing their numbers, strength, and malicious intent. This phrase also creates a strong sense of Antithesis when contrasted with "the LORD who was on our side," highlighting the stark opposition between human hostility and divine protection. The entire verse serves as a foundational Declaration, setting the stage for the vivid imagery of overwhelming danger (like floods and ravenous beasts) that follows in the subsequent verses, thus building suspense and amplifying the ultimate deliverance.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 124:2 serves as a cornerstone for understanding the biblical doctrine of divine providence and the absolute dependence of God's people on His active intervention. It articulates a fundamental theological truth: human strength, ingenuity, or numbers are ultimately insufficient against determined opposition unless God Himself is actively involved "on our side." This verse is not merely a historical recounting but a timeless declaration of God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people, acting as their defender and deliverer. It teaches that salvation, whether from physical enemies or spiritual adversaries, originates solely from His sovereign will and power. The psalmist's rhetorical question compels believers across generations to acknowledge God as the indispensable source of their security and triumph, fostering a posture of profound gratitude and humble reliance.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 124:2 offers profound encouragement and a vital theological lens through which to view our own struggles and triumphs. In a world where we often rely on human strategies, personal strength, or worldly alliances, this verse redirects our gaze to the ultimate source of deliverance: the LORD Himself. It challenges us to honestly assess our vulnerabilities and acknowledge that without God's active presence "on our side," we are truly helpless against the myriad "men" who "rise up against us"—whether they be spiritual forces, societal pressures, personal temptations, or physical adversaries. This psalm calls us to cultivate a deep sense of gratitude for past deliverances, recognizing God's unseen hand in our lives. More importantly, it fosters a radical trust, urging us to lean not on our own understanding but on the unfailing power and faithfulness of the One who stands with us. When faced with overwhelming odds, our confidence should not be in our own might, but in the certainty that if the LORD is for us, nothing can truly stand against us.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "If [it had not been] the LORD who was on our side" truly mean?
Answer: This phrase is a powerful rhetorical device emphasizing the absolute necessity of God's intervention. It means that had the LORD not actively, personally, and decisively sided with His people, they would have been utterly destroyed by their enemies. It removes any possibility of human credit for their survival, attributing deliverance solely to God's sovereign power and faithfulness. It's a declaration that their existence was a miracle, sustained only by divine favor and protection, as highlighted throughout the psalm, particularly in verses that describe the overwhelming nature of the threat, like the "raging waters" that would have "swallowed us alive" if God had not been present (Psalms 124:3-5).
Who are the "men who rose up against us" in this psalm?
Answer: The "men" (Hebrew: אדם, ʼâdâm') refer to human adversaries, likely powerful and numerous enemies who sought to harm or destroy Israel. While the psalm doesn't specify a particular historical event, it speaks to any significant national threat or oppression Israel faced, whether from foreign armies (e.g., Assyrians, Babylonians), internal rebellion, or other forms of hostile aggression. The language is intentionally broad to allow for application to various historical contexts where God's people faced overwhelming human opposition, underscoring the timeless truth that God is their ultimate defender against all human schemes and power.
How does this psalm encourage believers in modern times?
Answer: Psalms 124:2 offers profound encouragement by reminding believers that God remains their active defender against all forms of opposition, whether spiritual, emotional, social, or physical. It teaches us to look beyond our own strength or the apparent power of our adversaries and to place our ultimate trust in God's sovereign protection. Just as He delivered ancient Israel from seemingly insurmountable threats, He is faithful to be "on our side" today. This fosters a spirit of gratitude for past deliverances and cultivates a confident reliance on His presence and power in present and future challenges, echoing the New Testament assurance that "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31).
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 124:2 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the very embodiment of God "on our side." While the psalm speaks of God's historical deliverance of Israel from physical enemies, Christ's work accomplishes a far greater salvation: deliverance from sin, death, and the power of the devil. The "men who rose up against us" ultimately represent the spiritual forces of evil and the pervasive power of sin that held humanity captive (Ephesians 6:12). Had it not been for the LORD, in the person of Jesus Christ, actively coming "on our side" through His incarnation, life, death, and resurrection, humanity would have been utterly consumed by these spiritual adversaries (Colossians 2:13-15). His crucifixion, where He bore the full weight of human sin, was the decisive act of God being "for us" against the spiritual forces that sought our destruction (Romans 5:8). His resurrection is the irrefutable proof that the "snare is broken, and we have escaped" (Psalms 124:7), not by our might, but by His victorious power. Thus, Psalms 124:2 becomes a powerful testament to the indispensable work of Christ, through whom God decisively intervened to secure eternal deliverance for all who believe, making us more than conquerors through Him who loved us (Romans 8:37).