Read Psalm 124
A song of ascents. Of David.
1 If the Lord had not been on our side—
let Israel say—
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 would have engulfed us,
the torrent would have swept over us,
5 the raging waters
would have swept us away.
6 Praise be to the Lord,
who has not let us be torn by their teeth.
7 We have escaped like a bird
from the fowler’s snare;
the snare has been broken,
and we have escaped.
8 Our help is in the name of the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
Go Deeper
Psalm 124 is a psalm of thanksgiving in the midst of brokenness. Some days, this fractured world that we live in seems like too much to bear. Too much hate, too much pain, too much loss, too much conflict…it can all feel like just too much. This is not a new condition for humankind and will not be an old condition until the eternal restoration of heaven on earth. So what are we supposed to do in the meantime? How do we cope with the chaos and conflict?
David and the people of Israel offer guidance in Psalm 124. The nation of Israel understood conflict. They endured pain and loss (see enslavement in Egypt and the aftermath in Exodus). They had been at war with their neighbors for generations and had kings in conflict with each other (see 1 and 2 Samuel). They lived in fear of famine, invasion, and deadly illness daily. Yet, they sang Psalm 124.
This psalm begins with an introduction and call to community worship. Can’t you hear the piano’s low and slow start of melody as the worship leader steps to the microphone and gratefully sings “If the Lord had not been on our side…” Everyone knows this song; we were raised on it, sang it at church camp, heard our grandparents sing it, and the intro ushers all the trials, triumphs, and trust in God that comes from His faithfulness to bring us through the brokenness of this world. The tears swell in our eyes and the peace pours over us as we let go of controlling the things of this world and grab hold of the joy of the Lord that can come only from the Holy Spirit.
“Let all of Israel say” the worship leader calls to us. This is not an isolated request; it is a group effort to share the stories, claim the promises, and demonstrate the Holy Spirit to a tired and broken nation. This is a call to us when this world is too much. The psalm describes how God saved Israel from the perils of this world. It ends with the joint proclamation, “Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” May we find peace and comfort in making this same proclamation together with our community, “Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
Questions
- What are the things of this world that make you feel overwhelmed today?
- According to Psalm 124, what can we proclaim when feeling overwhelmed by the world’s brokenness?
- Psalm 124 is a community worship song for Israel to remind them of God’s care for them. What worship song reminds you of God’s care?
Listen Here
Spend some time today listening to songs of worship that reflect the message of Psalm 124 with this playlist on Spotify.
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4 responses to “Psalm 124”
BUT GOD
This Psalm is to remember what God has done but mostly, to remember where you were before and how God has delivered you. Remember the sin that held you down BUT GOD has shown you a better way. Maybe you are not fully out of the mire BUT GOD is still doing a work and is still on His throne. We are the ones who dont call out for help. But we can and He will answer. The end of this Psalm says “Our help is in the name of the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Sometimes it is good to remember where we were so that we can see how we grown because of who we believe in and are redeemed by.
God thank You for Your redemption power. Thank You that I am not where I was and even when and even if I have struggles You are whom I am turning to. God, I praise You for who You have made me to be – who You are helping me to become. God I celebrate all of the escapes that You have given me. God I praise You in the midst of struggles, because You are where I get my strength. Thank You, God , for the still unanswered questions. God thank You for my eyes of understanding to be enlightened. Thank You for this day, these minutes of this day. God give me eyes to see others through Your love goggles. Let my words be kind and full of grace. Help me remember that we all are struggle somewhere, someway. God Your unending, always abounding Hesed love is what overwhelms me and I want to sit and savor in it and never leave. BUT GOD, thank You for being in the rest of these minutes of this day with me in Jesus name amen.
WOOHOO!!!!
“Our help is in the name of the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth” (v8).
What a beautiful reminder that in the swirling chaos of this world he is our rock of refuge. It’s imperative that we trace his hand in the past to remind ourselves that for the present and future his character never changes. He is the same yesterday, today and forever.
1 If the Lord had not been on our side—
let Israel say—
Sometimes in life it is insightful to consider the counter factual. What might have things looked like in an alternative reality?
What if the Lord had not been on my side?!
If God is for us, then who can be against us?