1 {A Song of degrees. Of David.} If it had not been Jehovah who was for us -- oh let Israel say --
{A Song of degrees.} Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth -- oh let Israel say --
What shall we then say to these things? If God [be] for us, who against us?
Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is among them that uphold my soul.
{A Song of degrees.} I lift up mine eyes unto the mountains: whence shall my help come?
If Jehovah had not been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence.
Then shall mine enemies return backward in the day when I call: this I know, for God is for me.
{A Song of degrees. Of David.} Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
[Let your] conversation [be] without love of money, satisfied with [your] present circumstances; for *he* has said, I will not leave thee, neither will I forsake thee. So that, taking courage, we may say, The Lord [is] my helper, and I will not be afraid: what will man do unto me?
Rage, ye peoples, and be broken in pieces! And give ear, all ye distant parts of the earth: Gird yourselves, and be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and be broken in pieces! Settle a plan, and it shall come to nought; speak a word, and it shall not stand: for ùGod is with us.
{A Song of degrees.} Behold, bless Jehovah, all ye servants of Jehovah, who by night stand in the house of Jehovah.
Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song to Jehovah, and spoke, saying, I will sing unto Jehovah, for he is highly exalted: The horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
{A Song of degrees. Of David.} Jehovah, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty; neither do I exercise myself in great matters, and in things too wonderful for me.
{A Song of degrees.} Out of the depths do I call upon thee, Jehovah.
{A Song of degrees. Of Solomon.} Unless Jehovah build the house, in vain do its builders labour in it; unless Jehovah keep the city, the keeper watcheth in vain:
{A Song of degrees.} When Jehovah turned the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.
{A Song of degrees.} Unto thee do I lift up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens.
{A Song of degrees. Of David.} I rejoiced when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of Jehovah.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 124
Commentary on Psalms 124 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 124
Ps 124:1-8. The writer, for the Church, praises God for past, and expresses trust for future, deliverance from foes.
1, 2. on our side—for us (Ps 56:9).
now—or, "oh! let Israel"
2. rose … against, &c.—(Ps 3:1; 56:11).
3. Then—that is, the time of our danger.
quick—literally, "living" (Nu 16:32, 33), description of ferocity.
4, 5. (Compare Ps 18:4, 16).
5. The epithet proud added to waters denotes insolent enemies.
6, 7. The figure is changed to that of a rapacious wild beast (Ps 3:7), and then of a fowler (Ps 91:3), and complete escape is denoted by breaking the net.
8. (Compare Ps 121:2).
name—in the usual sense (Ps 5:11; 20:1). He thus places over against the great danger the omnipotent God, and drowns, as it were in an anthem, the wickedness of the whole world and of hell, just as a great fire consumes a little drop of water [Luther].