“Had it not been the LORD who was on our side, When men rose up against us” (v.2) is a stirring reminder in Psalm 124 of Israel’s dependence on God’s mighty protection. This verse, attributed to David, who reigned as the second king of Israel from about 1010 BC to 970 BC, echoes the nation’s heritage of deliverance—an enduring truth of God’s involvement in their battles and hardships. In these words, David reflects on times of national threat and attributes the nation’s survival to the presence of the Lord, underscoring that human threats could never stand where the LORD’s power prevails.
In biblical history, people faced multitudes of dangers, from military invasions to natural disasters, but Psalm 124 highlights that divine aid surpassed all. This moment of reflection calls believers, both ancient and modern, to recognize the LORD’s hand in their own lives. The phrase “When men rose up against us” (v.2) reveals the reality of human opposition, and the psalmist proclaims how ultimate safety is found only in God. This theme of deliverance resonates with later passages of Scripture, including the New Testament’s message that in Christ believers receive victory over the most daunting circumstances (Romans 8:31).
In a broader spiritual sense, these words point forward to the assurance found in Jesus, who offers deliverance from sin and strife through His sacrificial love (John 16:33). The psalm’s emphasis on dependence upon the LORD also reflects a personal trust that sustains the faithful, reminding believers to attribute their survival and triumphs to the kindness of God rather than their own strength.
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Psalms 124:2 meaning
“Had it not been the LORD who was on our side, When men rose up against us” (v.2) is a stirring reminder in Psalm 124 of Israel’s dependence on God’s mighty protection. This verse, attributed to David, who reigned as the second king of Israel from about 1010 BC to 970 BC, echoes the nation’s heritage of deliverance—an enduring truth of God’s involvement in their battles and hardships. In these words, David reflects on times of national threat and attributes the nation’s survival to the presence of the Lord, underscoring that human threats could never stand where the LORD’s power prevails.
In biblical history, people faced multitudes of dangers, from military invasions to natural disasters, but Psalm 124 highlights that divine aid surpassed all. This moment of reflection calls believers, both ancient and modern, to recognize the LORD’s hand in their own lives. The phrase “When men rose up against us” (v.2) reveals the reality of human opposition, and the psalmist proclaims how ultimate safety is found only in God. This theme of deliverance resonates with later passages of Scripture, including the New Testament’s message that in Christ believers receive victory over the most daunting circumstances (Romans 8:31).
In a broader spiritual sense, these words point forward to the assurance found in Jesus, who offers deliverance from sin and strife through His sacrificial love (John 16:33). The psalm’s emphasis on dependence upon the LORD also reflects a personal trust that sustains the faithful, reminding believers to attribute their survival and triumphs to the kindness of God rather than their own strength.