Psalms 124:1
If the LORD had not been on our side— let Israel now declare—
BSB
ASV
If it had not been Jehovah who was on our side, Let Israel now say,
KJV
If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, now may Israel say;
If it had not been the Lord who was on our side,.... Or, "was for us" (h). The Syriac version is, "that rose up for us"; against their enemies, that rose up against them, as in Psa 123:2, or, "was with us", as Kimchi and Ben Melech; to help and assist, support and supply, strengthen and defend: or, "was among us", as the Arabic version; as their King, Protector, and Saviour.
To get quit of this difficulty they observe, that what had not yet come to pass is described prophetically; but this is a forced conjecture, for the Prophets usually speak of things to come in a different manner. It is more probable that David here sets forth a known history, and exhorts the faithful to reflect upon the divine succor which they had already actually experienced.
If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, now may Israel say. The opening sentence is abrupt, and remains a fragment. By such a commencement attention was aroused as well as feeling expressed: and this is ever the way of poetic fire—to break forth in uncontrollable flame. 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!
Rare words are the text's own signal of a deliberate thread: the fewer the occurrences, the more the places it appears belong together.
The walk8
Follow this verse’s cross-references two steps out. Each card is a verse this one points to, and beneath it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several different paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it. Every stop shows its own words, and every stop is a page.
Through
Romans 8:31What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
leads to
The LORD is on my side; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
Reached by 2 independent paths from here.
They will fight against you but will never overcome you, since I am with you to deliver you,” declares the LORD.
in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
You, little children, are from God and have overcome them, because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.
No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their vindication is from Me,” declares the…
Through
Psalms 56:9Then my enemies will retreat on the day I cry for help. By this I will know that God is on my side.
leads to
What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Reached by 2 independent paths from here.
Through
Psalms 54:4Surely God is my helper; the Lord is the sustainer of my soul.
leads to
So we say with confidence: “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”
Through
Psalms 120:1In my distress I cried to the LORD, and He answered me.
leads to
In my distress I called upon the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard my voice, and my cry for His help reached His ears.