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Psalm 124:2

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

1A Song of Ascents. By David. If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, let Israel now say,
2if it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us,
3then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their wrath was kindled against us,
4then the waters would have overwhelmed us, the stream would have gone over our soul.
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← Psalm 124:1Psalm 124:3 →
Notice

The repeated “if it had not been” makes Israel’s survival a reason for gratitude, with YHWH’s help at the center of their account.

Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.

What does Israel’s repeated “if it had not been” lead you to notice about dependence on God?

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When have you received God’s help amid opposition that felt beyond your strength?

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Connect

Where else Scripture says this

5 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.

This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Psalm 22:12–13Many bulls have surrounded me. Strong bulls of Bashan have encircled me.Both passages describe being threatened by others, with Psalm 22 portraying the threat as encircling bulls.
Psalm 22:16For dogs have surrounded me. A company of evildoers have enclosed me. They have pierced my hands and feet.Both passages name danger from a group of people, described in Psalm 22 as a company of evildoers.
Psalm 37:32The wicked watch the righteous, and seek to kill him.Both passages describe human hostility, with Psalm 37 naming the wicked’s intent to kill the righteous.
Psalm 3:1A Psalm by David, when he fled from Absalom his son. LORD, how my adversaries have increased! Many are those who rise up against me.Both psalms speak of people who rise up against the speaker, though Psalm 124 speaks for Israel together.
Numbers 16:2–3They rose up before Moses, with some of the children of Israel, two hundred fifty princes of the congregation, called to the assembly, men of renown.Both passages describe people rising up, though Numbers names Moses and the leaders involved while the psalm names no attackers.
Where this verse fits

Gratitude. injustice and anger. fear for the future.

What the Bible says about gratitude →What the Bible says about anger →What the Bible says about fear →
One step

Something small to carry out of this verse

Read verses 1–4 and mark where Israel credits YHWH

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Encouragement

Israel’s confession leaves the danger in view: people rose against them, and survival depended on YHWH. Their gratitude has room for the truth about what threatened them.

Now put it in your words.

Start an entry on Psalm 124:2. Write what it stirs. Psalmlog sets your words beside Scripture and gives you one next step. Your first entry is free, no account needed.

Keep goingPsalm 124 · the whole chapter with its connection mapPsalms · every chapterBuild a reading plan through Psalms

Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).