Psa 124 | EE | STEP | This is a song for climbing by David. If the LORD was not fighting for us

Psalms 124

The LORD Sent Help

This is a song for climbing by David.

1 If the LORD was not fighting for us – now Israel say it: ^{▼▼124:1 Verse 1: LORD is the covenant name of God. The notes in Psalm 120 explain what this means.}

2 ^{▼▼This verse is empty because in this translation its contents have been moved to form part of verse Psa 124:5.} ^{▼▼In this translation, this verse contains text which in some other translations appears in verses Psa 124:2-Psa 124:5.}3 ^{▼▼This verse is empty because in this translation its contents have been moved to form part of verse Psa 124:5.} ^{▼▼In this translation, this verse contains text which in some other translations appears in verses Psa 124:2-Psa 124:5.}4 ^{▼▼This verse is empty because in this translation its contents have been moved to form part of verse Psa 124:5.} ^{▼▼In this translation, this verse contains text which in some other translations appears in verses Psa 124:2-Psa 124:5.}5 if the LORD was not fighting for us when men attacked:

· they would have eaten us alive because they were so angry,

· waters would have rushed over us

and a deep river would be over our heads,

· the angry waters would have gone over our heads and drowned us. ^{▼▼124:2-5 Verses 2-5: ‘Eaten us alive’ is like a picture that means ‘destroyed us.’ The waters, deep river and angry waters are all like pictures of the enemy.}

6 We will say good things to the LORD.

He did not let them eat us. ^{▼▼124:6 Verse 6: Again, ‘eat us’ means ‘destroy us.’}

7 We are free and still alive, like a bird that got out of a trap.

The trap became broken and we are free. ^{▼▼124:7 Verse 7: A trap is something to catch an animal or bird in. David felt that Israel was in a trap. But God made them free! Their enemies wanted to eat (destroy) Israel. This means that they wanted to kill the people of Israel. But God did not let them do it. It is a word-picture. Another word-picture is the river in verses 2-5. If God had not sent help, the river would have drowned Israel. The enemy was not a river. But the river was like a picture of what the enemy could do.}

8 The name of the person that sent us help is the LORD.

He made heaven and earth. ^{▼▼124:8 This is how the Jews said the psalm. A man at the front said the beginning of verse 1. He then said, ‘Now Israel say it.’ And they repeated what he said, and then the rest of the psalm.}