Log inSign up

Psalm 124 · a question people ask

If the LORD was on their side, why did men rise up against them at all?

In the text

The psalm doesn't say why. It doesn't say trouble never came: men "rose up against us" (124:2), and there was a snare (124:7). What it says is what didn't happen. They weren't swallowed up (124:3), and the LORD "has not given us as a prey to their teeth" (124:6). The snare was there, and it broke: "The snare is broken, and we have escaped" (124:7). The psalm's thanks is for the escape (124:6-7). It doesn't say why the danger came, and these notes don't either.

The verses

“if it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us, then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their wrath was kindled against us, then the waters would have overwhelmed us, the stream would have gone over our soul. Then the proud waters would have gone over our soul. Blessed be the LORD, who has not given us as a prey to their teeth. Our soul has escaped like a bird out of the fowler’s snare. The snare is broken, and we have escaped.”
Psalm 124:2-7 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Psalm 124

Psalm 124: If it had not been the LORD

Psalm 124 is an if and three thens. "If it had not been the LORD who was on our side" comes twice (124:1-2), then three verses of what would have happened, each opening in Hebrew with a word the Hebrew Bible has nowhere else. None of it happened: "The snare is broken, and we have escaped" (124:7), and the psalm ends, "Our help is in the LORD’s name" (124:8).

In Favor, questions like this come up right where they arise as you read, with the Hebrew and Greek behind the words and how the chapter leads to Jesus.

Start your free weekPsalm 124 Bible study

First week free, then $10 a month per person

More questions about Psalm 124

All questions about Psalms →

The best way to learn the Bible

Favor opens up every chapter as you read.

Favor is a Bible study app for your phone or computer. It takes you through the Bible one chapter at a time, a few minutes a day, and shows you what's really there: the words behind the words, the moments most people miss, and how the whole story fits together. For you. For everyone.

  • Every chapter explains itself

    As you read, short notes open up what's really going on, the details most readers walk past, and the honest questions people ask.

  • The Hebrew and Greek behind it

    Tap a highlighted word to see the original, how to say it, and what it means, checked against the original-language texts.

  • Every page leads to Jesus

    Watch promises made in Genesis kept in Jesus. Each line lights up on your map as you read.

  • Better together

    Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together.

  1. 1

    Start your free week

    Sign up in a minute with your email.

  2. 2

    Read a few minutes a day

    Each chapter opens itself up as you go. Tap what you're curious about.

  3. 3

    Bring your people, if you like

    Send one link. Everyone reads the same chapter, then meets to talk.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person

Questions like this, in every chapter

The best way to learn the Bible. For you. For everyone.

There's a seat for you at the table.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person · Log in

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions