Matthew Poole's Commentary A Song of degrees of David. If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, now may Israel say; THE ARGUMENT This Psalm was composed by David in the name, and for the use of all the church and people of Israel, as a thanksgiving for their deliverance from some eminent danger or dangers from proud and potent enemies. Many such they had in David’s time; but which of them is here intended is hard to determine, and not worth the inquiry. The church setteth forth God’s mercy for a miraculous deliverance, out of the apparent danger of powerful enemies, Psalm 124:1-5, and blesseth him for it Psalm 124:6-8. No text from Poole on this verse. If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us: No text from Poole on this verse. Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us: They had swallowed us up quick; they had speedily and utterly destroyed us, as Korah, &c. were, Numbers 16. Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul: No text from Poole on this verse. Then the proud waters had gone over our soul. Our enemies, compared to proud waters, for their great multitude, and swelling rage, and mighty force. Blessed be the LORD, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth. A metaphor from wild beasts, which tear and devour their prey with their teeth. Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped. No text from Poole on this verse. Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth. No text from Poole on this verse. |
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