OUR HELP IS IN THE NAME OF THE LORD
Key verse: 124:8
NIV
Psalm 124
A song of ascents. Of David.
1 If the Lord had not been on our side—
let Israel say(A)—
2 if the Lord had not been on our side
when people attacked us,
3 they would have swallowed us alive
when their anger flared against us;
4 the flood(B) would have engulfed us,
the torrent(C) would have swept over us,
5 the raging waters
would have swept us away.
Cross references
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway
ESV
Our Help Is in the Name of the Lord
A Song of (A)Ascents. Of David.124 (B)If it had not been the Lord who was on our side—
(C)let Israel now say—
2 if it had not been the Lord who was on our side
when people rose up against us,
3 then they would have (D)swallowed us up alive,
when their anger was kindled against us;
4 then (E)the flood would have (F)swept us away,
the torrent would have gone (G)over us;
5 then over us would have gone
the raging waters.
6 Blessed be the Lord,
who has not given us
as prey to their teeth!
7 We have escaped like a bird
from (H)the snare of the fowlers;
the snare is broken,
and we have escaped!
8 (I)Our help is in the name of the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
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124 (B)If it had not been the Lord who was on our side—
(C)let Israel now say—
2 if it had not been the Lord who was on our side
when people rose up against us,
3 then they would have (D)swallowed us up alive,
when their anger was kindled against us;
4 then (E)the flood would have (F)swept us away,
the torrent would have gone (G)over us;
5 then over us would have gone
the raging waters.
6 Blessed be the Lord,
who has not given us
as prey to their teeth!
7 We have escaped like a bird
from (H)the snare of the fowlers;
the snare is broken,
and we have escaped!
8 (I)Our help is in the name of the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
First, if the Lord had not been on our side (1-5). Israel was a small nation among many powerful forces. Living there was like being under the constant threat of attack. The anger of the nations was overwhelming, like being surrounded by a raging torrent. What was revealed in the constant struggle of the people of Israel? The Psalmist learned, 'If the Lord had not been on our side.' The people of Israel were not just a small nation among superpowers. They were God's chosen people to reveal his glory in the world. God chose the weak things of this world to reveal his might and power. Second, praise be to the Lord (6-8). At this time Israel had been delivered by the Lord. It was like being a trapped bird, ensnared by the enemy. The Lord provided deliverance when there seemed to be no escape. He revealed himself both as their help and the Maker of heaven and earth. We experience many temptations that threaten to ensnare us, and we are helpless against the enemy. But we have a Lord who helps us, who sent his Son to die for us, releasing us from the power of sin and death, and from all that ensnares us. Praise be to the Lord.
Prayer: Lord, I am weak, but you are my help. Thank you for freeing me from Satan's snares, and being at my side.
One Word: The snare has been broken
