Psalm 124 2

Psalm 124:2 kjv

If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us:

Psalm 124:2 nkjv

"If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, When men rose up against us,

Psalm 124:2 niv

if the LORD had not been on our side when people attacked us,

Psalm 124:2 esv

if it had not been the LORD who was on our side when people rose up against us,

Psalm 124:2 nlt

What if the LORD had not been on our side
when people attacked us?

Psalm 124 verses

Psalm 124 2 Meaning

Psalm 124:2 serves as a foundational declaration of divine deliverance and protection. It conveys the crucial truth that had the Lord not actively intervened and championed His people, they would have been utterly overwhelmed and consumed by their adversaries. This verse highlights the absolute necessity of God's presence and intervention as the sole source of salvation in the face of intense human hostility, fostering a spirit of profound gratitude and dependence upon Him.

Psalm 124 2 Context

Psalm 124 is one of the Songs of Ascent (Shir Hama'alot), likely sung by Jewish pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem for annual festivals. These Psalms (120-134) often reflect themes of communal thanksgiving, pilgrimage, trust, and national identity rooted in God's covenant. This specific Psalm is a communal psalm of thanksgiving, giving voice to the collective gratitude of the nation of Israel for a miraculous deliverance from a grave danger.

Historically, while no specific event is explicitly named, scholars suggest various possibilities such as the deliverance from Sennacherib's Assyrian army (2 Kings 19), the return from Babylonian exile, or later threats faced by the re-established community. The Psalm's enduring power lies in its applicability to any moment where God's people faced seemingly insurmountable odds from human adversaries. It stands in contrast to ancient Near Eastern beliefs where nations often attributed their military successes to their own might, strategy, or the strength of their pagan deities. Psalm 124 forcefully declares that Israel's survival and victory were exclusively due to the unique, active, and personal involvement of Yahweh, their covenant God.

Psalm 124 2 Word analysis

• If it had not been (לׅוּלֵי - lulei): This is a strong conditional particle, signaling a counterfactual statement. It introduces a stark "what if" scenario where the implied consequence of God's absence would be utter disaster. It emphasizes that the deliverance was not a foregone conclusion, nor due to any human effort, but hinged entirely on divine intervention.

• the LORD (יְהֹוָה - Yahweh): This is the sacred, personal, covenant name of God, revealing His self-existent and active nature. The use of Yahweh distinguishes Him from all other gods or human powers. It signifies the faithful, omnipotent God of Israel who is intimately involved with His people.

• who was on our side (שֶׁהָיָה לָנוּ - shehaya lanu): Literally, "who was for us." Hāyāh means "to be" or "to come to pass," here implying active presence, engagement, and support. Lanu means "for us," denoting a beneficial stance, as an ally in battle, an advocate, or a defender. This phrase underscores God's personal identification and alignment with His people against their foes.

• when men (בְּקוּם עָלֵינוּ אָדָם - b’qum ‘alenu ’adam): ’Āḏām (man/humankind) can refer to individuals or groups of human adversaries. The use of "man" generally contrasts finite, mortal human beings with the eternal, infinite God. It highlights the real and dangerous threat posed by human agency, but also emphasizes their inherent limitation when confronted by the divine.

• rose up against us (qum ‘alenu): Qūm means "to rise," "stand up," or "assert oneself." Coupled with ‘alenu ("against us"), it denotes active, aggressive, hostile opposition. This implies a deliberate and determined effort by the enemies to overwhelm and harm Israel, likely in a violent and intimidating manner.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "If it had not been the LORD who was on our side": This complete phrase forms the crucial premise. It asserts that God's presence with His people, acting for them, was the sole determinant of their survival. It rejects any notion that their strength, numbers, or strategy secured their deliverance, thereby redirecting all praise and gratitude to Yahweh alone. It sets up the immediate dependence on God and contrasts sharply with human capability.
  • "when men rose up against us": This phrase succinctly describes the nature of the threat. It specifies that the adversaries were human, making their defeat a testimony to God's superior power over all human designs and aggression. The "rising up" imagery portrays an active, threatening, and direct confrontation that would naturally instill fear and overwhelm any unassisted human group.

Psalm 124 2 Bonus section

This verse subtly implies a polemic against reliance on idols or human military might prevalent in the surrounding nations. By emphasizing "the LORD" (Yahweh) alone, it contrasts Him with the impotent gods of the pagan world. The specific mention of "men" rising up against them further amplifies the stark difference between finite human power and the limitless power of the infinite God. This foundational truth of God's active partisanship for His people forms the basis for their confidence, as explored further in subsequent verses of the Psalm, which graphically illustrate the terrifying fate they narrowly escaped (being swallowed alive, overwhelmed by raging waters). It serves as a continuous call to remember and give thanks for God's enduring faithfulness in every generation.

Psalm 124 2 Commentary

Psalm 124:2 articulates a profound truth about God's protective sovereignty over His people. It acts as a counterfactual statement, highlighting the utter certainty of destruction had Yahweh not stepped in. This is not merely a statement about God's presence, but His active intervention—He took their side against a potent, human-driven threat. This verse firmly establishes that Israel's survival was a testament not to their own might or wisdom, but exclusively to God's gracious and powerful intervention. It cultivates a spirit of humility and gratitude, serving as a reminder that divine aid is absolutely essential for enduring and overcoming the trials and oppositions of life. This theme reverberates throughout Scripture: human effort is vain without God's blessing, and conversely, no human enemy can thwart God's plans for His people when He decides to act on their behalf.

For practical usage, this verse reassures believers today that no matter how overwhelming or seemingly insurmountable human opposition appears, God is the ultimate protector. It encourages relying entirely on His strength rather than despairing or placing trust in fallible human solutions. When faced with professional or personal challenges where human hostility or betrayal is present, this verse encourages us to look to the Lord as our ultimate Advocate and Defender, acknowledging that without His active hand, our struggles would consume us.