Psalm 124:5

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 124:1-5

The people of God, being here called upon to praise God for their deliverance, are to take notice, I. Of the malice of men, by which they were reduced to the very brink of ruin. Let Israel say that there was but a step between them and death: the more desperate the disease appears to have been the more does the skill of the Physician appear in the cure. Observe, 1. Whence the threatening danger came: Men rose up against us, creatures of our own kind, and yet bent upon our ruin. Homo homini... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 124:5

Then the proud waters had gone over our soul. The wicked, who, through their pride, persecute the poor saints: these proud tyrants and persecutors would prevail over them, to their ruin and destruction; who, for their number, force, and strength, and especially for their pride and haughtiness, are like to the strong, boisterous, and swelling waves of the sea, were they not stopped and bounded by him who has said, Thus far shall ye go, and no farther, Job 38:11 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 124:5

Then the proud waters - The proud Haman had nearly brought the flood of desolation over our lives. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 124:1-8

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 124:1-8

Divine deliverance. The spirit which breathes in this psalm is one of keen thankfulness. Nothing calls out so deep and strong a sense of indebtedness to God (or to man) as a consciousness that we owe to him an escape from a great calamity. We bless the Lord with the most fervent gratitude as we realize that he has healed our disease and redeemed our life from destruction ( Psalms 103:1-4 ). We ought to be mindful of all his benefits, and accept them as they come , one after... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 124:1-8

But for the Lord. The psalm is a contemplation of the distress that must have come upon God's people but for the Lord's timely help. I. IT IS THE LANGUAGE OF ISRAEL 'S GRATITUDE . We cannot tell what were the exact circumstances which are referred to; but many times in Israel's history had there been the threatening of overwhelming calamity. In the old times, in Egypt, in the wilderness, in Judah and Jerusalem, as during the invasion of Sennacherib, when they were carried... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 124:1-8

The believer's safeguard. "If Jehovah had not been on our side," etc. The last psalm was the sigh of an exile in Babylon waiting upon God for deliverance. This psalm is the joyful acknowledgment that the deliverance has been accomplished. The next (125.) describes the safety of the exiles restored to their native land, and girt round by the protection of Jehovah. I. GOD IS ON OUR SIDE WHEN HE SEEMS MOST AGAINST US . As he was on the side of the Israelites both... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 124:5

Then the proud waters had gone over our soul . "Proud" of effecting our destruction. 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

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