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 124:6–8. His two-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
Here the psalmist further magnifies the great deliverance God had lately wrought for them.
I.That their hearts might be the more enlarged in thankfulness to him (Psa 124:6):
Blessed be the Lord. God is the author of all our deliverances, and therefore he must have the glory of them. We rob him of his due if we do not return thanks to him. And we are the more obliged to praise him because we had such a narrow escape. We were delivered,
1.Like a lamb out of the very jaws of a beast of prey: God has not given us as a prey to their teeth, intimating that they had no power over God's people but what was given them from above. They could not be a prey to their teeth unless God gave them up, and therefore they were rescued, because God would not suffer them to be ruined.
2.Like a bird, a little bird (the word signifies a sparrow), out of the snare of the fowler. The enemies are very subtle and spiteful; they lay snares for God's people, to bring them into sin and trouble, and to hold them there. Sometimes they seem to have prevailed so far as to gain their point. God's people are taken in the snare, and are as unable to help themselves out as any weak and silly bird is; and then is God's time to appear for their relief, when all other friends fail; then God breaks the snare, and turns the counsel of the enemies into foolishness: The snare is broken and so we are delivered. Isaac was saved when he lay ready to be sacrificed. Jehovah-jireh - in the mount of the Lord it shall be seen.
II.That their hearts, and the hearts of others, might be the more encouraged to trust in God in the like dangers (Psa 124:8):
Our help is in the name of the Lord. David had directed us (Psa 121:2) to depend upon God for help as to our personal concerns - My help is in the name of the Lord; here as to the concerns of the public - Our help is so. It is a comfort to all that lay the interests of God's Israel near their hearts that Israel's God is the same that made the world, and therefore will have a church in the world, and can secure that church in times of the greatest danger and distress. In him therefore let the church's friends put their confidence, and they shall not be put to confusion.
Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
4 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.
We have sung a psalm: "Blessed is the Lord, who has not given us as a quarry to their teeth." A proper expression of gratitude for the gifts of God. "Blessed is the Lord, who has not given us as a quarry to their teeth." It is certainly the voice of gratitude, and a very fitting gratitude. And when can human gratitude ever match such divine gifts? When the blessed martyr shed his sacred blood in this place, I do not know whether there was as big a crowd here of people raging against him, as there is now a multitude of people praising him. I repeat—I am delighted, after all, to see in the house of the Lord the people converging so religiously on this place and to compare times with times—which is why I say again and repeat, and so far as I can I devoutly commend to your consideration; when the blessed martyr shed his blood in this place, I do not know whether there was such a big crowd here raging against him as there now is a multitude of people praising him.But even if there was, "blessed is the Lord, who has not given us as a quarry to their teeth." When they killed, they imagined they had conquered; they were being conquered by the people who were dying, and they rejoiced. If they were being conquered, they were naturally raging. So the raging crowd has departed, and the praising multitude has taken its place. Let them say, let them say, the praising multitude, "Blessed is the Lord, who has not given us as a quarry to their teeth." Whose teeth? The teeth of the enemies, the teeth of the godless, the teeth of those persecuting Jerusalem, the teeth of Babylon, the teeth of the enemy city, the teeth of the crowd gone stark, staring mad in their villainy, the teeth of a crowd persecuting the Lord, forsaking the Creator, turning to the creature, worshiping things made by hand, ignoring the one by whom they were made. "Blessed is the Lord, who has not given us as a quarry to their teeth."
Let them escape the water without substance, and say, "Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us over for a prey unto their teeth" [Psalm 124:6]. For the hunters were following, and had placed a bait in their trap. What bait? The sweetness of this life, so that each man for the sake of the sweetness of this life may thrust his head into iniquity, and be caught in the trap. Not they, in whom the Lord was, they who say, "If the Lord Himself had not been in us;" they have not been taken in the trap. Let the Lord be in you, and you will not be taken in the trap.
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Summary
Psalms 124:6 stands as a powerful declaration of praise and profound thanksgiving, celebrating the Lord's miraculous and decisive intervention in rescuing His people from overwhelming and predatory adversaries. It expresses immense relief and deep gratitude for divine protection that prevented their utter destruction, highlighting God's unwavering faithfulness in safeguarding those who trust in Him from seemingly insurmountable threats.
Context
Literary Context
Psalms 124 is an integral part of the "Songs of Ascents" (Psalms 120-134), a collection of fifteen psalms likely recited or sung by pilgrims as they journeyed to Jerusalem for the annual festivals. These psalms often articulate themes of pilgrimage, communal struggle, and divine deliverance. Psalm 124 specifically functions as a communal psalm of thanksgiving, following a vivid depiction of grave peril. Verses 1-5 graphically portray the dire situation Israel faced, employing powerful imagery such as a raging flood that would have "swallowed us up quick" (Psalm 124:3) or overwhelming waters that would have "gone over our soul" (Psalm 124:4). Verse 6 marks a dramatic and joyful pivot from describing the threat to expressing jubilant praise for God's active prevention of their demise. This verse sets the stage for the concluding verses (7-8), which further celebrate the miraculous escape, comparing the soul to a bird freed from a fowler's snare (Psalm 124:7) and culminating in the confident affirmation that "Our help is in the name of the LORD" (Psalm 124:8).
Historical & Cultural Context
While Psalm 124 does not pinpoint a specific historical event, its themes resonate deeply with numerous periods in Israel's history where the nation faced existential threats from powerful empires or hostile neighbors. Such threats ranged from the foundational deliverance from Egypt during the Exodus, through the turbulent eras of the Judges and Kings, to the challenges of the post-exilic period. The imagery of being "prey to their teeth" vividly evokes the brutal realities of ancient warfare, where defeated peoples could be utterly consumed, enslaved, or annihilated by victorious armies. As a relatively small nation often surrounded by larger, aggressive powers, Israel's survival was frequently perceived as a direct result of Yahweh's miraculous intervention. This fostered a profound cultural memory of divine protection against overwhelming odds. The act of pilgrimage itself, undertaken on often dangerous roads, was an expression of deep trust in God's safeguarding presence.
Key Themes
This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Psalms and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it emphatically underscores the theme of Divine Deliverance and Protection, portraying God not as a distant observer but as an active, intervening force who "hath not given us" into the hands of enemies, thereby demonstrating His constant vigilance and powerful hand in safeguarding His people. Secondly, it highlights Profound Gratitude, as the opening "Blessed be the LORD" establishes a tone of deep appreciation for a rescue that was unexpected or seemed impossible, emphasizing God's mercy and omnipotence. Thirdly, the stark imagery of being "a prey to their teeth" powerfully illustrates the Vulnerability of Humanity and the overwhelming nature of evil forces; without God's intervention, humanity is utterly defenseless against such destructive power. Finally, the verse affirms God's Sovereignty, asserting His ultimate control over all circumstances, even the malicious intentions of adversaries, as He determines outcomes and prevents His people from being consumed by those who seek their harm, echoing the broader truth that the Lord reigns over all (Psalm 93:1).
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
Derived from the primitive root H1288, meaning "to kneel," this word, when applied to God, signifies a profound act of adoration, praise, and acknowledgment of His inherent goodness, power, and the source of all blessing. It is not a mere polite greeting but a declarative statement of His praiseworthiness, recognizing His active role in the deliverance and sustenance of His people.
This noun literally means "something torn" or "food torn by a wild beast." It powerfully conveys a state of utter helplessness and violent consumption. To be "prey" means to be entirely at the mercy of a predator, destined for destruction and consumption, leaving nothing behind. The word emphasizes the savage intent and the complete vulnerability of the victim, highlighting the severity of the averted fate.
While a common anatomical term, in this context, "teeth" serves as a vivid metonymy for the destructive power and predatory intent of the adversaries. It intensifies the imagery of ṭereph, emphasizing the violent, tearing, and consuming action intended by the enemies, much like a predator's jaws closing on its victim to rip them apart. It speaks to the brutal, visceral nature of the threat and the completeness of the intended annihilation.
Verse Breakdown
"Blessed [be] the LORD"
This opening phrase is a declarative and exclamatory statement of profound praise and adoration. It is a spontaneous, heartfelt acknowledgment that God alone is worthy of praise for the miraculous deliverance experienced. It attributes the salvation not to human strength, wisdom, or cunning, but solely to divine intervention and His inherent goodness.
"who hath not given us [as] a prey"
This clause highlights God's active, decisive, and protective role. The phrase "hath not given us" (literally, "has not given us over") signifies God's refusal to abandon His people to their enemies. It implies a divine choice, a powerful act of restraint, and a faithful commitment, preventing the adversaries from achieving their destructive aims. This is a testament to God's faithfulness and His covenant loyalty to His people, ensuring their survival against overwhelming odds.
"to their teeth"
This vivid and chilling imagery completes the picture of the averted disaster. "Their teeth" represents the full, savage intent of the enemies to utterly consume and destroy Israel. It underscores the severity of the threat—not merely defeat or subjugation, but annihilation. The deliverance is therefore not simply an escape from battle, but a rescue from being torn apart and devoured, emphasizing the completeness and magnitude of God's protection.
Literary Devices
The verse is rich in Metaphor, primarily portraying the enemies as predatory beasts and Israel as helpless prey. This vivid imagery powerfully communicates the existential threat faced by God's people and the brutal intent of their adversaries. The specific mention of "teeth" is a form of Synecdoche, where a part (teeth) stands for the whole (the devouring, destructive force of the enemy, representing their full malevolent intent). The entire verse functions as an expression of Thanksgiving and Praise, which is a key literary and theological genre within the Psalms. The dramatic shift from the preceding verses' descriptions of overwhelming danger to this declaration of deliverance creates a powerful sense of Contrast and profound relief, underscoring the magnitude of God's intervention and the depth of the psalmist's gratitude.
Theological and Thematic Connections
This verse powerfully articulates the biblical truth of God's active and sovereign protection over His people. It is a profound testament to His faithfulness, demonstrating that He is not only able but willing to intervene decisively on behalf of those who are His. The imagery of being rescued from "teeth" speaks to the often-overwhelming nature of the forces arrayed against believers, whether they be physical enemies, spiritual adversaries, or life's crushing circumstances. Yet, the psalmist's declaration affirms that God holds ultimate control, preventing His beloved from being utterly consumed. This resonates deeply with the broader narrative of God's covenant loyalty, where He consistently acts as a shield and deliverer for His chosen, ensuring that His purposes for them will prevail despite any opposition.
Reflection and Application
Psalms 124:6 calls us to a profound posture of gratitude and unwavering trust in God's unfailing protection. In a world where we often feel vulnerable to various "teeth"—be they economic hardship, relational conflict, spiritual attacks, societal pressures, or personal failures—this verse serves as a potent reminder that our ultimate security rests not in our own strength, foresight, or cunning, but in the sovereign, powerful hand of God. It encourages us to pause and reflect on the countless times God has intervened, both seen and unseen, preventing us from being utterly consumed by circumstances that seemed overwhelming or insurmountable. This reflection should cultivate a deep, abiding thankfulness, transforming our perspective from one of fear and anxiety to one of confident praise and peace. When we face new challenges, we are invited to recall God's past faithfulness and trust that He who has not given us as prey in the past will continue to be our faithful deliverer, guarding our lives and souls.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Who are "their teeth" referring to in Psalms 124:6?
In the immediate context of Psalm 124, "their teeth" refers to the human adversaries of Israel—nations or groups that sought to utterly destroy or consume them. The psalm uses vivid, animalistic imagery (like a raging flood or predatory beasts) to describe the overwhelming and destructive intent of these enemies. While the specific historical event is not named, it represents any situation where Israel faced an existential threat. Theologically, it can also be understood to represent any force, whether physical or spiritual, that aims to devour or annihilate God's people, as seen in the broader biblical narrative of spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:12).
How does this verse apply to individual believers today?
While Psalms 124 was written for a corporate body (Israel), its principles apply profoundly to individual believers. We too face "teeth"—spiritual attacks from the enemy (1 Peter 5:8), overwhelming life circumstances, systemic injustices, or personal struggles that threaten to consume us. This verse reminds us that God is our ultimate protector and deliverer. He has not given us over as prey to these forces. It encourages us to trust in His sovereign hand to guard us, to give thanks for His past and present interventions, and to find solace in the knowledge that our help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth (Psalm 124:8).
Does God always deliver His people from physical harm, according to this verse?
While Psalms 124:6 celebrates a specific deliverance from physical destruction, the Bible also teaches that God's deliverance is not always physical or immediate in this life. Believers may experience suffering, persecution, or even martyrdom, as exemplified by many saints throughout history (Hebrews 11:35-38). However, the core truth remains: God never gives His people over to ultimate destruction or eternal separation. His deliverance is often spiritual, preserving faith and hope even amidst trials, and always culminates in eternal salvation. The "teeth" of death and sin, though they may wound, cannot ultimately consume those who belong to Christ, for He has triumphed over them (Colossians 2:15). The psalmist's gratitude is for a prevented consumption, which points to God's ultimate victory over all forces that seek to destroy His people, whether in this life or the life to come.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Psalms 124:6 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the definitive Deliverer of God's people from the most formidable "teeth" of all: sin, death, and the power of the devil. Humanity, apart from Christ, is indeed "prey" to these spiritual adversaries, destined for eternal destruction. However, the Lord Jesus, the true Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29), was not given as prey to the teeth of spiritual death but instead conquered them through His crucifixion and glorious resurrection. He disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities, triumphing over them by the cross (Colossians 2:15). Through His sacrifice, Christ delivered those who were held in slavery by their fear of death (Hebrews 2:14-15). While the devil prowls like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8), Christ ensures that His sheep will never perish, and no one can snatch them out of His hand (John 10:28). Thus, in Christ, we are more than conquerors, for the Lord has truly "not given us as a prey to their teeth" (Romans 8:37), securing our ultimate and eternal deliverance from all that seeks to consume us.