Bible-Center
РУ
EN
FR
Bible
Notes
FAQ
Links
About

Search

Search Search
search in current section [Notes]

NOTES for Psa 124

Printable version
1 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.
6 Blessed be the LORD, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth.
7 Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped.
8 Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
Hide

We often hear the phrase—whether winged or perhaps merely crawling—that history does not tolerate the subjunctive mood. Perhaps it does not; still, to appreciate what we actually possess, it can be useful to imagine what might have been.

For the psalmist, there is no doubt that if the Lord had not been with them, the people would have been destroyed by their enemies. Need we add that we too could reach the same conclusion?...

Those unwilling to acknowledge His intervention in the course of events prefer to explain every positive development and favorable change by their own efforts, by chance, by a fortunate convergence of circumstances... But those who can look back and discern in the chaos of events a coherent and meaningful path composed of scattered episodes are unlikely to reject the thought of the One who directed that path.

Other notes

 
For Psa 124:1-5
1 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.
Hide
Those who trust in the Lord can rely on Him and stand firm. Yet the psalmist goes on to speak of...  Read more

Those who trust in the Lord can rely on Him and stand firm. Yet the psalmist goes on to say that the righteous may stretch out their hands to iniquity. If so, can such people be called righteous, and how much is their righteousness then worth?

Yes, this is a bitter truth: human beings are weak and unsteady in the face of sinful temptations, and even very steadfast people have stumbled more than once. It is difficult to avoid the temptations that surround us in daily life, and harder still when one is under the power of the wicked, who actively impose their corrupt way of life on everyone who depends on them.

Yet even in such a difficult situation, the Lord does not abandon His children. Everyone who wants to rely on God can receive strength from Him. Those who value crooked paths more than righteousness may continue to wander along them. The heavenly Father looks with pain upon His wayward children, but their freedom, too, is inviolable...

Hide
Bible
Notes
FAQ
Links
About
Site map
Design and development:  © 2001–2026 W-M v:2.0.3.107

After registering, you can subscribe to any Bible reading plan.

Personalized settings and other services for registered users are planned, so we recommend registering now. Registration is free.