TRV
Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Psalms 124:1–5. His two-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
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.
Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
3 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
What then is our duty, my brothers, for the sake of these things, but to praise and give thanks to God, the king of all? And let us first exclaim in the words of the psalms, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us over as a prey to their teeth.” Let us keep the feast in that way that he has dedicated for us unto salvation—the holy day Easter—so that we may celebrate the feast which is in heaven with the angels. Thus anciently, the people of the Jews, when they came out of affliction into a state of ease, kept the feast, singing a song of praise for their victory. So also the people in the time of Esther, because they were delivered from the edict of death, kept a feast to the Lord, considering it a feast, returning thanks to the Lord and praising him for having changed their condition. Therefore let us, performing our vows to the Lord and confessing our sins, keep the feast to the Lord, in conversation, moral conduct and manner of life; praising our Lord, who has chastened us a little but has not utterly failed or forsaken us or altogether kept silence from us. For if, having brought us out of the deceitful and famous Egypt of the opponents of Christ, he has caused us to pass through many trials and afflictions, as it were in the wilderness, to his holy church, so that from hence, according to custom, we can send to you, as well as receive letters from you; on this account especially I both give thanks to God myself and exhort you to thank him with me and on my behalf, this being the apostolic custom, which these opponents of Christ, and the schismatics, wished to put an end to and to break off. The Lord did not permit it but both renewed and preserved that which was ordained by him through the apostle, so that we may keep the feast together, and together keep holy day, according to the tradition and commandment of the fathers.
It is the same with David. Where the soul is supported with spiritual wings, he has chosen to describe the soul as a bird, as he has said in one place, “My soul has escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers”; and again, In the Lord I take refuge; how can you say to my soul, “Flee like a bird to the mountain.” Thus the soul has its wings by which it can raise itself free from the earth. But this movement of the wings is not of something constructed of feathers but a continuing series of good works, like those of the Lord of whom it is well said, “And in the shadow of your wings I shall take refuge.” In the first place, the hands of our Lord fixed on the cross were extended like something in flight, and, second, the actions of God are like a refreshing shadow of eternal salvation that can regulate the conflagration raging in our world.
In the first place, what means, "Perchance our soul has passed over"? [Psalm 124:5]. Understand however the meaning to be this: "Do you think our soul has passed over?" and why do they say, "Do you think"? Because the greatness of the danger makes it hardly credible that he has escaped. They have endured a great death: they have been in great dangers; they have been so much oppressed, that they almost gave consent while alive, and were all but swallowed up alive: now therefore that they have escaped, now that they are secure, but still remember the danger, the great danger, say, "Do you think our soul has passed over the water without substance?"
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Summary
Psalms 124:5 powerfully articulates a terrifying hypothetical scenario where the nation of Israel would have been utterly engulfed and destroyed by overwhelming forces, had the Lord not intervened on their behalf. This verse, embedded within a vibrant Song of Ascent, serves as a stark reminder of the existential threat faced by God's people and profoundly underscores the absolute necessity and efficacy of divine deliverance from seemingly insurmountable dangers. It encapsulates the deep gratitude and unwavering trust of a people who recognize their survival as solely attributable to the sovereign hand of God.
Context
Literary Context
Psalm 124 is designated as a "Song of Ascent" (or "Song of Degrees"), belonging to a collection of fifteen psalms (Psalms 120-134) traditionally sung by pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem for the annual feasts. Attributed to David, this psalm functions as a communal hymn of thanksgiving for God's mighty deliverance. Verses 1-4 establish the dire, counterfactual premise: "If it had not been the Lord who was on our side... then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us." Verse 5 continues this dramatic "if not for the Lord" sequence, employing the vivid metaphor of "proud waters" to describe the overwhelming and arrogant nature of the threat. The psalm culminates in a resounding declaration of absolute dependence and trust in God's name in Psalm 124:8, affirming that Israel's help comes from the Creator of heaven and earth. The entire composition is a powerful testimony to God's protective faithfulness, framed as a communal reflection on past salvation.
Historical & Cultural Context
Ancient Israel frequently confronted existential threats from powerful, hostile nations surrounding them. The imagery of "proud waters" or floods was a common and potent metaphor in the ancient Near East, symbolizing chaos, overwhelming destruction, and the formidable power of enemies or natural disasters. Cultures in the region, often dependent on rivers for sustenance but also vulnerable to their destructive floods, deeply understood the terror of being submerged. For Israel, this imagery would evoke not only literal floods but also the relentless assaults of empires like Assyria, Babylon, or other regional adversaries, whose armies seemed like an unstoppable tide. The "pride" of the waters reflects the arrogance and insolence of these human enemies, who believed themselves invincible and sought to utterly annihilate God's chosen people. This context highlights the profound relief and gratitude for divine intervention that such a psalm would evoke among the pilgrim community, celebrating God as their ultimate deliverer from such formidable opposition.
Key Themes
The central theme of Psalm 124 and specifically verse 5 is Divine Deliverance. The psalm unequivocally asserts that Israel's survival was solely due to God's active intervention, not their own strength, wisdom, or military might. The "proud waters" represent an Overwhelming Danger, forces so immense and destructive that human effort would be futile against them. This imagery underscores the desperate nature of the threat and magnifies the greatness of God's salvation. Consequently, the psalm powerfully reinforces God's Sovereignty and Providence. It declares that God is the ultimate controller of all forces, whether natural or human, that seek to harm His people. He is the faithful Protector who can restrain the most arrogant and destructive powers, ensuring the preservation of His covenant people. This theme resonates throughout the Old Testament, from the miraculous parting of the Red Sea to the numerous accounts of God's rescue of His people from their enemies, such as David's many deliverances recounted in 2 Samuel.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This word (H2121) is derived from a root meaning "to boil up," "to act proudly," or "to behave arrogantly." It signifies more than just a large volume of water; it describes water that is insolent, presumptuous, and haughty in its destructive intent. When applied to enemies, it conveys their arrogant confidence and malicious desire to overwhelm and consume. This linguistic nuance emphasizes the malevolent and overwhelming nature of the threat, making God's intervention even more remarkable and necessary.
While literally referring to water (H4325), in this context, mayim functions as a powerful metaphor. It represents overwhelming adversaries, chaos, destruction, or trials that threaten to engulf and suffocate. The imagery is drawn from the natural world's most formidable and uncontrollable forces, making the "proud waters" a fitting symbol for an existential threat that is both immense in scale and destructive in its aim.
The Hebrew word nephesh (H5315) is rich in meaning, encompassing not just the individual life but the entire being, personhood, vitality, and even the very breath. When the "proud waters" threaten to go over "our soul," it implies an existential threat to the collective life and identity of the nation. It speaks to the complete annihilation of their existence, not merely a temporary setback.
Verse Breakdown
"Then the proud waters"
This clause continues the hypothetical "if not for the Lord" established in the preceding verses. The "then" (H233, ʼăzay) points to the inevitable, devastating consequence had God not intervened. The "proud waters" are a vivid metaphor for the arrogant, overwhelming, and destructive forces—whether human enemies or calamitous circumstances—that sought to utterly consume Israel. Their "pride" speaks to their insolent confidence in their own power and their contempt for God's people.
"had gone over"
The phrase "had gone over" (H5674, ʻâbar) signifies being completely submerged, overwhelmed, or swept away. It paints a picture of drowning, where there is no hope of survival or escape. The past perfect tense ("had gone") reinforces the idea that this devastating outcome would have been a completed reality, a fait accompli, if not for the divine hand. It emphasizes the totality of the potential destruction.
"our soul"
This refers to the very life, being, and existence of the people. The threat was not just to their land or possessions, but to their collective identity and survival as a nation. To have the waters go over their "soul" means complete annihilation, a loss of breath, life, and hope. It highlights the desperate vulnerability of the people in the face of such a formidable, existential threat, and magnifies the miracle of God's preservation.
Literary Devices
Psalm 124:5 makes powerful use of Metaphor and Personification. The "proud waters" serve as a vivid metaphor for the overwhelming and destructive power of Israel's enemies or severe calamities. By describing the waters as "proud," the psalmist employs Personification, attributing human-like arrogance, insolence, and haughtiness to an inanimate force. This not only emphasizes the malicious intent and self-assured power of the adversaries but also highlights the insolence of those who oppose God's people, acting as if they are above divine control. The entire psalm also functions as a Conditional Clause (implicitly, from the preceding verses), presenting a hypothetical "if... then" scenario that underscores the absolute necessity of God's intervention for Israel's survival. The language is also rich in Hyperbole, using exaggerated imagery of being swallowed alive and drowned to convey the extreme nature of the danger and the profundity of the deliverance.
Theological and Thematic Connections
This verse profoundly articulates a core biblical truth: humanity's utter dependence on God for deliverance from overwhelming forces. It moves beyond a mere historical recounting to a theological declaration that God alone is the source of salvation. The "proud waters" symbolize not only physical enemies but also the chaos, sin, and existential threats that continually seek to overwhelm human existence. The psalmist's recognition that only divine intervention prevented total destruction cultivates a deep sense of gratitude and humility, acknowledging that any rescue or preservation is a testament to God's sovereign power and unwavering faithfulness to His covenant people. This theological perspective calls believers to place their trust solely in the Lord, recognizing His ability to control even the most formidable "waters" that threaten to engulf them.
Reflection and Application
For the contemporary believer, Psalms 124:5 serves as a timeless reminder of God's unfailing protection in a world often characterized by overwhelming challenges. We, too, face "proud waters" in various forms: spiritual attacks that threaten our faith, societal pressures that seek to drown our convictions, personal crises that feel insurmountable, or the sheer weight of anxiety and despair. This verse encourages us to cultivate a profound awareness that any deliverance, any moment of peace amidst the storm, is ultimately a testament to God's gracious and sovereign hand, not merely our own resilience or fortunate circumstances. It calls us to a posture of deep gratitude for the unseen ways God shields us from dangers both seen and unseen, and to a renewed trust in His power. When confronted with seemingly insurmountable obstacles, we are invited to remember that our help is in the Lord, who made heaven and earth, and who remains our ultimate refuge and deliverer, preventing the "proud waters" from ultimately going over our soul.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the significance of "proud waters" in biblical imagery?
In biblical imagery, "proud waters" (from the Hebrew mayim zêydôwn) are a powerful metaphor for overwhelming, arrogant, and destructive forces. They represent not just literal floods, but also hostile nations, chaos, severe trials, and even divine judgment. The "pride" attributed to the waters signifies the insolence and self-assured power of these forces, which act as if they are unstoppable and beyond control. This imagery is rooted in ancient Near Eastern cosmology, where chaotic waters often symbolized the forces of disorder that only a divine being could subdue. Thus, when God delivers His people from "proud waters," it highlights His supreme power and sovereignty over all chaotic and destructive elements, as seen in the divine control over the primordial waters in Genesis 1:2.
How does this verse relate to the broader message of Psalm 124?
Psalms 124:5 is a crucial hypothetical statement that underpins the entire message of the psalm. The preceding verses (Psalm 124:1-4) establish the "if not for the Lord" premise, describing how enemies would have "swallowed us up quick" or their "wrath had consumed us." Verse 5 continues this dramatic "then" clause, vividly illustrating the total annihilation that would have occurred without divine intervention. It serves to magnify the deliverance that did happen, making it clear that Israel's survival was not due to their own strength but solely to God's active presence and protection. It reinforces the psalm's core theme of absolute dependence on God for national and individual salvation, culminating in the declaration that "Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth" (Psalm 124:8).
Is this verse only about national deliverance, or does it apply to individuals?
While Psalms 124 is primarily a national psalm of thanksgiving for Israel's deliverance, its imagery and theological principles are profoundly applicable to individual believers. The "proud waters" can symbolize any overwhelming threat to an individual's spiritual, emotional, or physical well-being—such as severe temptation, deep despair, relentless opposition, or life-altering crises. Just as God protected Israel from existential threats, He also promises to be with and deliver His individual children from the "proud waters" that threaten to engulf their souls. The message is universal: in the face of overwhelming odds, our ultimate help and salvation come from the Lord, who is faithful to preserve those who trust in Him, as seen in passages like Isaiah 43:2 and Psalm 42:7.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
The "proud waters" of Psalms 124:5 find their ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament's "proud waters"—representing sin, death, chaos, and the spiritual forces of evil—are the ultimate threats that no human effort could overcome. Humanity's "soul" was indeed overwhelmed and drowned by the deluge of sin and its consequences. However, Jesus, the Son of God, entered into these very waters. He demonstrated His mastery over literal "proud waters" by calming the storm with a word, commanding the winds and the waves to be still (Mark 4:39). More significantly, He conquered the metaphorical "proud waters" of sin and death through His atoning sacrifice and resurrection. He bore the full weight of humanity's rebellion, allowing the "waters" of divine judgment and the "floods" of death to go over Him on the cross, so that they would not go over our souls. Through His victory, He disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities (Colossians 2:15), delivering us from the power of him who has the power of death, that is, the devil (Hebrews 2:14-15). In Christ, believers are secured from the ultimate "proud waters" of eternal separation from God, finding their refuge and everlasting life in the one who is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, and who promises that the gates of Hades will not prevail against His church (Matthew 16:18).