Psalm 124 1

Psalm 124:1 kjv

If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, now may Israel say;

Psalm 124:1 nkjv

A Song of Ascents. Of David. "If it had not been the LORD who was on our side," Let Israel now say?

Psalm 124:1 niv

A song of ascents. Of David. If the LORD had not been on our side? let Israel say?

Psalm 124:1 esv

If it had not been the LORD who was on our side ? let Israel now say ?

Psalm 124:1 nlt

What if the LORD had not been on our side?
Let all Israel repeat:

Psalm 124 verses

Psalm 124 1 Meaning

Psalm 124:1 is a powerful declaration by Israel, expressing their profound and utter dependence on the Lord (YHWH) for their survival and deliverance from overwhelming danger. It states that without the direct intervention and protective presence of God, the nation would have surely been annihilated. It serves as a collective acknowledgment and grateful testimony of divine rescue, setting the stage for the specific accounts of peril and salvation that follow in the psalm.

Psalm 124 1 Context

Psalm 124 is one of the "Songs of Ascents" (Psalms 120-134), likely sung by Jewish pilgrims traveling "up" to Jerusalem for the three annual festivals (Passover, Pentecost, Tabernacles). These psalms often express themes of deliverance, security in God, and corporate identity. In this specific psalm, the "if not" declaration sets a tone of intense corporate thanksgiving for a national deliverance that was utterly miraculous, implying that without God's direct intervention, Israel would have ceased to exist. It vividly contrasts the utter helplessness of the people with the decisive power of YHWH. The psalm serves as a strong didactic polemic against any notion that Israel's survival was due to its own strength, wisdom, or alliances, or that any other deity could provide such protection. It elevates YHWH as the sole protector and deliverer.

Psalm 124 1 Word analysis

• If (לולי, lu-lei): A strong conditional particle, "unless" or "had not." It introduces a counterfactual statement, imagining a terrifying scenario that would have occurred had the premise not been true. It implies an imminent, dire threat from which deliverance was unexpected and solely divine. This immediately creates a sense of profound relief and gratitude.
• the LORD (יהוה, YHWH): The covenant name of God, indicating His personal, revealed, and active involvement with His people. It's not a generic deity (like Elohim) but the specific, powerful, faithful God of Israel who intervenes in history. This highlights the relational and unique nature of their God as their deliverer.
• had not been (היה לנו, hayah lanu): "had not been for us," or "on our side." This implies active presence, alignment, and supportive action. It emphasizes God's proactive stance with His people, signifying His protection, advocacy, and direct assistance against foes. It's more than mere existence; it's a specific, defending posture.
• on our side (לנו, lanu): The Hebrew preposition le means "to" or "for." Coupled with the pronoun "us" (nu), it expresses being "for us," "belonging to us in terms of support," or "standing with us." This collective pronoun emphasizes the corporate nature of both the threat and the deliverance—it was an existential crisis for the entire community of Israel, and God intervened for the entire community.
• let Israel say (יאמר נא ישראל, yomart na Yisrael): An imperative verb with the particle na (often translated as "please" or an emphatic "now"). It's a solemn and urgent summons to the entire community, Israel as a nation, to declare, proclaim, and testify to this fundamental truth. This phrase makes the preceding statement a national creed or confession, meant to be publicly recited and deeply believed by all descendants of Jacob. It reinforces that this is not a private opinion but a shared, communal experience and conviction.

Words-group analysis

• "If the Lord had not been on our side": This entire phrase functions as a rhetorical device known as a "hypothetical impossible" or "contrary-to-fact" condition. It dramatically poses an alternative reality, which by its very horror, amplifies the magnitude of the actual deliverance. The use of YHWH here powerfully attributes this salvation exclusively to the covenant God of Israel, removing any possibility of human achievement or reliance on other deities. The phrasing implies a grave threat, from which only a superior, divine force could have saved them, underlining their utter vulnerability and God's absolute sovereignty. It's a setup for the praise and specific examples of deliverance to follow.

Psalm 124 1 Bonus section

The dramatic opening of Psalm 124:1, by beginning with the terrifying "If not...", serves to create immense suspense and underscore the sheer terror of the "what if" scenario before the psalm reveals the deliverance. It evokes an emotional response from the worshipers, inviting them to fully appreciate the mercy they received. The phrase is a profound statement of theological gratitude: God's being on our side implies an active, benevolent, and strategic partnership in the face of insurmountable odds. It stands in direct contrast to reliance on military might, political alliances, or human ingenuity, establishing YHWH as the sole and sufficient source of help. This verse lays the essential groundwork for all the subsequent testimonies of salvation, ensuring that all glory is correctly ascribed to Him.

Psalm 124 1 Commentary

Psalm 124:1 opens with a stark and gripping counterfactual, a powerful rhetorical device that instantly establishes the psalm's central theme: God alone is Israel's deliverer. The declaration, "If the LORD had not been on our side—let Israel say—" is not a hesitant question but a triumphant and unequivocal confession. It presupposes a moment of national peril so profound that without YHWH's direct and personal intervention, Israel's obliteration would have been certain. This isn't just about winning a battle; it's about existential preservation. The inclusion of "let Israel say" makes this a national, communal creed, a foundational truth for every Israelite to declare and remember across generations. It functions as a corporate testimony, urging all to reflect on their miraculous preservation and to credit solely the sovereign God who "was for them." It serves to anchor Israel's identity and hope not in its own strength or resources, but wholly in the steadfast faithfulness and mighty power of the Lord.

• Practical Usage Example:
  • Personal Application: When reflecting on a past struggle or crisis where you felt overwhelmed, remember how God brought you through. You might declare, "If the Lord had not been on my side during [challenge], I would have surely [consequence]." This leads to renewed gratitude and trust for future challenges.
  • Church/Community: After overcoming a significant challenge or achieving a breakthrough in ministry, a congregation might corporately declare, "If the Lord had not been on our side, our church would have faltered!" It fosters humility and collective praise for God's sustaining grace.