Psalm 124:2-5 ESV

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 124:4

Then the waters had overwhelmed us - Our destruction would have been as if the waves of the ocean had overwhelmed us.The stream had gone over our soul - The torrent would have swept us away. Compare Psalms 18:4, Psalms 18:16. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 124:5

Then the proud waters had gone over our soul - Over us. The word proud here is applied to the waters as if raging, swelling, rolling, tumultuous; as if they were self-confident, arrogant, haughty. Such raging billows, as they break and dash upon the shore, are a striking embIem of human passions, whether in an individual, or in a gathering of men - as an army, or a mob. Compare Psalms 65:7. This is again an amplification, or an ascent of thought. See the notes at Psalms 124:2. It is, however,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 124:3-6

Psalms 124:3-6. They had swallowed us up quick They had speedily and utterly destroyed us, as Korah and his company were, Numbers 16:0. The proud waters had gone over, &c. Our enemies, compared to proud waters for their great multitude, swelling rage, and mighty force. The Lord hath not given us a prey to their teeth A metaphor taken from wild beasts, which tear and devour their prey with their teeth. It is here intimated that the enemies of God’s people have no power whatever... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 124:1-8

Psalms 120-124 To Jerusalem for worshipEach of the fifteen Psalms 120:0 to 134 is entitled ‘A Song of Ascents’ (RSV; NIV). These psalms were apparently sung by worshippers from the country areas as they made the journey up to Jerusalem for the various annual festivals.Whether or not the psalms were written for this purpose, they have been arranged in a sequence that reflects the feelings of the travellers. They provide expressions of worship for the travellers as they set out from distant... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 124:2

men. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 . (Sing, refers to Sennacherib). they. The plural, referring to Sennacherib's hosts; likened to a stream and waters in verses: Psalms 124:4 , Psalms 124:5 . See note on Psalms 46:3 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 124:3

quick = alive. read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 124:4

stream = torrent, or flood. Hebrew. nahal. See App-67 . our soul = us. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 . Note the Figure of speech Epistrophe ( App-6 ) in the repetition at end of Psalms 124:5 . read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Psalms 124:5

Psalms 124:5. Then, &c.— Then it had passed over our soul, even {proud / swelling} waters. REFLECTIONS.—The greater the danger is to which we are exposed, the greater doth the power and grace of our God appear in our rescue, and the more are we indebted to him in love and praise. 1. The enemies of God's church and people are many and mighty; rising up fierce as a lion, and ready to devour them, quick and eager in the pursuit, and raging in their wrath to destroy them. Then in that day of... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown