Read
Psalm 124:4
then the waters would have overwhelmed us, the stream would have gone over our soul.
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.
5Then the proud waters would have gone over our soul.
6Blessed be the LORD, who has not given us as a prey to their teeth.
Notice
The waters describe how close God's people came to being destroyed, while “would have” marks the disaster YHWH kept from overtaking them.
Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.
How does “would have” shape your reading of the danger described here?
Write on thisWhat danger have you faced with others that helps you understand this picture of overwhelming waters?
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Where else Scripture says this
12 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 69:15Don’t let the flood waters overwhelm me, neither let the deep swallow me up. Don’t let the pit shut its mouth on me.Both passages picture overwhelming flood waters; Psalm 69 asks for rescue, while Psalm 124 recalls the disaster that was prevented.
Revelation 17:15He said to me, “The waters which you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages.Both use waters as imagery involving people, though Revelation identifies the waters as multitudes and Psalm 124 pictures the threat of attackers.
Revelation 12:15–16The serpent spewed water out of his mouth after the woman like a river, that he might cause her to be carried away by the stream.Both portray an attack through the image of a stream that threatens to sweep its victims away.
Psalm 18:4The cords of death surrounded me. The floods of ungodliness made me afraid.Both describe danger through flood imagery, with Psalm 18 naming fear and Psalm 124 recalling threatened destruction.
Isaiah 8:7–8now therefore, behold, the Lord brings upon them the mighty flood waters of the River: the king of Assyria and all his glory. It will come up over all its …Both picture human attackers as overwhelming waters; Isaiah names Assyria, while Psalm 124 leaves the attackers unnamed.
Psalm 32:6For this, let everyone who is godly pray to you in a time when you may be found. Surely when the great waters overflow, they shall not reach to him.Both describe protection from overwhelming waters, with Psalm 32 urging prayer and Psalm 124 recalling the LORD's help.
Psalm 69:2I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold. I have come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.Both use overflowing waters to portray mortal danger, though Psalm 69 speaks from within trouble and Psalm 124 looks back.
Isaiah 59:19So they will fear the LORD’s name from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun; for he will come as a rushing stream, which the LORD’s breath drives.Both use a rushing stream as an image of force, though Isaiah describes the LORD's coming and Psalm 124 describes danger.
Jeremiah 46:7–8“Who is this who rises up like the Nile, like rivers whose waters surge?Both use rising or surging river waters as imagery, though the supplied line from Jeremiah leaves their identity as a question.
Revelation 17:1One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and spoke with me, saying, “Come here. I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute who sits on …Both contain water imagery, but Revelation describes the prostitute's position on many waters rather than a stream overwhelming people.
Job 22:11or darkness, so that you can not see, and floods of waters cover you.Both picture waters covering people as an expression of danger, though Psalm 124 describes what would have happened without help.
Daniel 9:26After the sixty-two weeks the Anointed One will be cut off, and will have nothing. The people of the prince who come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. …Both connect a flood with destruction involving human attackers; Daniel announces devastation, while Psalm 124 recalls destruction averted.
Where this verse fits
Gratitude. answered prayer. fear for the future.
One step
Something small to carry out of this verse
Encouragement
Looking back on danger can bring gratitude without making the danger seem small. These waters picture destruction, and the people credit YHWH with their survival.
Now put it in your words.
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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).