Psalm 124:6 kjv
Blessed be the LORD, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth.
Psalm 124:6 nkjv
Blessed be the LORD, Who has not given us as prey to their teeth.
Psalm 124:6 niv
Praise be to the LORD, who has not let us be torn by their teeth.
Psalm 124:6 esv
Blessed be the LORD, who has not given us as prey to their teeth!
Psalm 124:6 nlt
Praise the LORD,
who did not let their teeth tear us apart!
Psalm 124 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 15:1-2 | "The LORD is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation..." | Praise for deliverance from Pharaoh. |
| Deut 32:30-31 | "How could one man chase a thousand... unless their Rock had sold them...?" | God is the incomparable Protector. |
| 1 Sam 2:1 | "My heart exults in the LORD... because I rejoice in your salvation." | Hannah’s praise for God’s saving power. |
| Ps 3:7 | "Arise, O LORD! Save me, O my God! For You strike all my enemies..." | God crushes enemies' power. |
| Ps 7:1-2 | "O LORD my God, in You I take refuge; save me... Lest I be torn like a lion..." | Prayer for rescue from destructive enemies. |
| Ps 18:48 | "He rescues me from my enemies; You set me high above my adversaries..." | God gives victory over oppressors. |
| Ps 22:13 | "They open wide their mouths at me, like a ravening and roaring lion." | Depicts overwhelming, predatory enemies. |
| Ps 27:1-2 | "The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?..." | Trust in God's protection against foes. |
| Ps 34:19 | "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him..." | God's deliverance from multiple troubles. |
| Ps 41:1-2 | "Blessed is the one who considers the poor!... The LORD will protect him." | General principle of divine protection. |
| Ps 56:1-2 | "Be gracious to me, O God, for man tramples on me; all day long an attack..." | Prayer for protection from human hostility. |
| Ps 57:4 | "My soul is among lions; I lie among those who breathe fire..." | Describes being surrounded by fierce enemies. |
| Ps 91:3-4 | "For He will deliver you from the snare... He will cover you with His pinions..." | God as a refuge from dangers. |
| Ps 118:5 | "Out of my distress I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me..." | Deliverance in dire circumstances. |
| Ps 121:7 | "The LORD will keep you from all evil; He will keep your life." | Assurance of comprehensive divine care. |
| Prov 24:16 | "For though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again..." | God ensures ultimate triumph. |
| Isa 43:2 | "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you..." | God’s presence in trials, ensuring survival. |
| Jer 1:19 | "They will fight against you, but they will not prevail against you..." | Divine promise of invincibility. |
| Zech 2:8 | "whoever touches you touches the apple of His eye." | God's intense care and protection of Israel. |
| Rom 8:31 | "If God is for us, who can be against us?" | New Testament emphasis on God's ultimate advocacy. |
| 2 Cor 1:10 | "He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us..." | Paul’s testimony of ongoing divine rescue. |
| 2 Tim 4:18 | "The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely..." | Confidence in future deliverance. |
| 1 Pet 5:8-9 | "Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." | New Testament parallel to "prey" imagery (spiritual foe). |
Psalm 124 verses
Psalm 124 6 Meaning
Psalm 124:6 is a resounding declaration of praise to the LORD for His divine protection and miraculous deliverance of His people from overwhelming and destructive enemies. It highlights God’s active intervention in preventing Israel from being utterly consumed, like helpless prey, by their adversaries.
Psalm 124 6 Context
Psalm 124 is one of the Songs of Ascent (Psalms 120-134), traditionally sung by pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem for annual festivals. This particular psalm is a communal psalm of thanksgiving, reflecting the corporate experience of Israel's deliverance from overwhelming national peril. It likely stems from a significant historical threat, such as liberation from Babylonian exile, an attack from surrounding nations during the restoration period, or another major historical crisis that deeply endangered the survival of the Israelite community. The preceding verses vividly describe the magnitude of the threat—like raging waters, a devouring fire, or being swallowed alive—making verse 6 a powerful counterpoint, celebrating God’s mighty rescue when destruction seemed imminent.
Psalm 124 6 Word analysis
Blessed: The Hebrew word is Baruch (בָּרוּךְ), which signifies an acclamation or declaration of praise. When applied to God, it means to acknowledge Him as the source of all blessing and to praise Him for His inherent goodness and His beneficial acts. It’s an active posture of adoration, recognizing His deserved glory for the salvation wrought.
be: This simple verb indicates a state of being, affirming that the LORD truly is worthy of this blessing because of His demonstrated character and power.
the LORD: The Hebrew is YHWH (יהוה), the covenant name of God, revealing His personal and relational identity. This name emphasizes His faithfulness, self-existence, and sovereign power, especially in deliverance. It is the God who acted specifically for His people.
who: This is a relative pronoun, directly linking the "blessing" or praise to a specific, saving action of God. It points to God as the agent of the deliverance being celebrated.
has not given: The verb is natan (נָתַן), meaning "to give" or "to place." The negation here "has not given" powerfully underscores God’s deliberate restraint and protective intervention. He actively chose not to surrender His people, highlighting His strong will to preserve.
us: Refers collectively to Israel, the chosen people of God. It emphasizes the corporate nature of the deliverance and the shared experience of threat and rescue.
as: A comparative particle, introducing a powerful metaphor that illustrates the extreme vulnerability of the people without God’s intervention.
prey: The Hebrew term is teref (טֶרֶף), which literally means something torn or devoured, typically by a wild beast. It vividly depicts a state of utter helplessness and impending annihilation. The enemies are portrayed as ravenous predators, while Israel is the defenseless victim.
to their teeth: The Hebrew is le-shinneihem (לְשִׁנֵּיהֶם), a striking and brutal metaphor. "Teeth" (plural of shen) denotes the instrument of tearing, gnashing, and consumption. The imagery evokes predatory animals completely rending and consuming their victim, leaving nothing behind. It powerfully conveys the malicious intent, the thoroughness of the desired destruction, and the sheer voracity of the enemies. This phrase emphasizes the enemies' cruel eagerness to inflict maximum, total annihilation.
Words-group analysis:
- "Blessed be the LORD": This is a doxology, a common Old Testament expression of profound gratitude and adoration directed towards God. It often appears as a spontaneous response to divine intervention and salvation. It’s a corporate acclamation affirming God’s righteousness and power.
- "who has not given us as prey": This phrase directly contrasts the enemy’s ravenous intention with God’s active, protective hand. It emphasizes that Israel’s survival was not due to their own strength or cunning, but solely due to God’s decisive refusal to allow them to be consumed. It highlights divine sovereignty over hostile forces.
- "as prey to their teeth": This stark and vivid imagery communicates the extreme peril faced by God’s people. The enemies were not just attackers, but relentless devourers, seeking complete destruction without mercy. The comparison implies an inherent powerlessness on Israel's part if left to themselves, thereby magnifying the miracle of God's preservation.
Psalm 124 6 Bonus section
The strong contrast between the absolute power and malice of the enemies (as depicted in Ps 124:3-5) and God's intervention in verse 6 serves to magnify God’s incomparable power and His benevolent nature. The enemies, in their ravenous hunger, act like wild beasts, driven by pure instinct to devour. This often applies metaphorically to human adversaries who exhibit predatory behavior in their desire to annihilate. The psalm acts as a testimony that God’s providential care extends even to preventing His people from suffering the most ignominious and complete destruction at the hands of those who desire their absolute demise. It calls believers to trust that God, when truly needed, will restrain the most powerful and malevolent forces from having their final destructive will.
Psalm 124 6 Commentary
Psalm 124:6 distills the profound reality of divine rescue from existential threats. It is not a praise for merely enduring hardship, but for absolute deliverance from a determined, consuming foe. The psalm paints a grim picture of adversaries who seek not just conquest, but total annihilation, aiming to "swallow us alive" (v. 3) and tear the people to shreds. The phrase "prey to their teeth" is intensely visceral, signifying that the enemies’ desire was complete demolition and absorption, leaving no trace. This imagery underscores the brutal, merciless intent of Israel's oppressors.
Yet, amidst this terrifying reality, the people declare, "Blessed be the LORD who has not given us as prey to their teeth!" This isn't passive relief but an active, joyous acclamation of God’s deliberate and powerful intervention. He did not give them over. It implies that had He not intervened, they would have been utterly destroyed. Therefore, their salvation is a direct testament to His power, His care, and His faithfulness to His covenant people. This verse becomes a timeless anthem for all who face overwhelming adversaries—be they physical, spiritual, or systemic—proclaiming that the God of Israel is capable of, and committed to, preserving His own from complete devastation.