Psalms 124:1
A Song of degrees of David. If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, now may Israel say;
124:1. The opening sentence is abrupt, and remains a fragment. By such a commencement attention was aroused as well as feeling expressed. The many words in italics in our Authorized Version will show the reader that the translators did their best to patch up the passage, which, perhaps, had better have been left in its broken grandeur, and it would then have run thus:
Had it not been Jehovah! He was for us, oh let Israel say!
Had it not been Jehovah! He who was for us when men rose against us.
The glorious Lord became our ally; he took our part, and entered into treaty with us. If Jehovah were not our protector where should we be? Nothing but his power and wisdom could have guarded us from the cunning and malice of our adversaries; therefore, let all his people say so, and openly give him the honor of his preserving goodness. Here are two ifs, and yet there is no if in the matter. The Lord was on our side, and is still our defender, and will be so forever. We are far too slow in declaring our gratitude, hence the exclamation which should be rendered, “O let Israel say.” We grumble without being stirred up to it, but our thanksgiving needs a spur, and it is well when some warm-hearted friend bids us say what we feel. Imagine what would have happened if the Lord had left us, and then see what has happened because he has been faithful to us.
The Treasury of David by Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892)
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