This verse expresses gratitude for the LORD’s rescue in the face of overwhelming turmoil that could have swallowed His people whole.
Then the waters would have engulfed us, The stream would have swept over our soul. (v.4) appears in a Song of Ascents traditionally associated with David, who reigned as king of Israel from around 1010 to 970 BC. In this psalm, the imagery of floodwaters reflects a dire circumstance—an impending disaster so grave that it threatened to overpower the people of God. The “waters” point to chaotic forces that can overwhelm anyone, much like when the LORD rescued Israel from the Egyptians at the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21). David’s words convey how, without the LORD’s deliverance, they surely would have been consumed.
Throughout Scripture, waters often symbolize chaos or overwhelming adversity—a reality seen in other passages such as Genesis 1:2, Psalm 18:16, and Isaiah 43:2, where “floods” or turbulent waters threaten life and security. Psalm 124:4 follows this same pattern by acknowledging how close God’s people came to destruction, underscoring that it was only the LORD who kept them safe when disaster loomed. This same theme appears again in the New Testament, where Jesus calms a raging storm for His disciples (Mark 4:39), further illustrating God’s power over the forces that threaten His people.God’s deliverance in situations where “waters” nearly devour His people is ultimately a reminder that He alone is able to rescue us from life’s worst perils and restore our hope.
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Psalms 124:4 meaning
Then the waters would have engulfed us, The stream would have swept over our soul. (v.4) appears in a Song of Ascents traditionally associated with David, who reigned as king of Israel from around 1010 to 970 BC. In this psalm, the imagery of floodwaters reflects a dire circumstance—an impending disaster so grave that it threatened to overpower the people of God. The “waters” point to chaotic forces that can overwhelm anyone, much like when the LORD rescued Israel from the Egyptians at the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21). David’s words convey how, without the LORD’s deliverance, they surely would have been consumed.
Throughout Scripture, waters often symbolize chaos or overwhelming adversity—a reality seen in other passages such as Genesis 1:2, Psalm 18:16, and Isaiah 43:2, where “floods” or turbulent waters threaten life and security. Psalm 124:4 follows this same pattern by acknowledging how close God’s people came to destruction, underscoring that it was only the LORD who kept them safe when disaster loomed. This same theme appears again in the New Testament, where Jesus calms a raging storm for His disciples (Mark 4:39), further illustrating God’s power over the forces that threaten His people.God’s deliverance in situations where “waters” nearly devour His people is ultimately a reminder that He alone is able to rescue us from life’s worst perils and restore our hope.