Psalm 124 is the fifth of the “Assent Songs” and the second
that is ascribed to be written by David. Remember the contempt and ridicule of
Psalm 123? It has now been mixed with anger (v. 3) and become open hostility in
Psalm 124. There are several occasions as to when David might have written it.
After he was anointed king, it wasn’t long till Saul was trying to set traps
and kill him. Or possibly, shortly after he became king, the Philistines attack
Israel. Or even later when his son Absolom rose up against him. In each
situation the LORD gave him deliverance and this psalm may have been his song
of thanksgiving to the Lord.
Some believe that Hezekiah might have used this psalm when
he was attacked by the Assyrians, but God sent an angel that killed over
180,000 enemy soldiers in one night and gave deliverance. It might have been
used again later when Nehemiah and the people were repairing the walls and
gates of Jerusalem, the surrounding nations ridiculed them (Neh. 2:19-20;
4:1-5) and then threatened to attack them (Neh. 4:7-23). Nehemiah's words
"Our God will fight for us" (Neh. 4:20) remind us of 124:1-2 and 8.
We may not have entire nations and armies opposing us, but we do face
emergencies that are more than we can handle. That is when we turn to the Lord
for help, because He is on our side and helps us with these emergencies.
In verses 1-2, we see the sudden attack of the enemy. The
phrase "rose up" gives the image of a sudden ambush, a sneak attack
that might have defeated Israel, except the Lord was on their side. "If
God is for us, who can be against us?" (Rom. 8:31). Our enemy Satan does
not give advance warning of his attacks; therefore, we must be sober and
vigilant (1 Peter 5:8), put on the whole armor of God (Eph. 6:10-18), and be
alert in our praying. God promised His chosen people that He would curse those
who cursed them (Gen. 12:3), and He has kept that promise. If we are walking
with the Lord, we need not feel unprepared for the enemy's sudden attacks.
Next in verses 3-5, the enemy is pictured as a great flood
overwhelming Israel. Here is a situation where we stand helpless as the problem
gets worse and worse. The psalmist feared that the raging waters
of persecution would sweep over him and his people and that they would be
swallowed up forever. Jeremiah pictured the Babylonian captivity of Israel as
Nebuchadnezzar swallowing the nation (Jer. 51:34, 44). But if the Lord is on
our side, He will provide a way of escape.
In verse 6, the enemy is pictured as a beast which is often
a biblical picture of persecution. There are twelve words in the Hebrew
language for lions, which indicates that the Jewish people in that day took
wild beasts seriously. Jeremiah compared Babylon to a lion (Jer. 4:7; 51:38),
and Peter compared Satan to a prowling lion (1 Peter 5:8). Like a cunning
animal, Satan stalks us and waits until we have relaxed our guard, and then he
pounces. But the Lord is stronger than Satan, and if we are abiding in Him, we
can win the victory.
Finally in verses 7-8, the enemy is pictured laying a hidden
trap. We must use the Word of God to throw light on our path so we can detect
and avoid the devil's traps (Psalm 119:105; 91:1-3; 1 Tim. 3:7; 6:9; 2 Tim.
2:24-26). The picture is that of a helpless bird who walked into the trap in
order to eat the food. Satan always has fascinating bait to offer. The Lord may
allow us to fall into a trap, but nobody can keep us when He wants us to be
free.
The Lord not only opened the trap but broke it so it cannot
be used again! The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ has broken the
dominion of sin and death, and we can walk in freedom through Jesus Christ.
Praise God, we don’t need to fear! We are not helpless!
Because "Our help is in the name of the LORD, Who made heaven and earth"
(v. 8). And He is on our side!
God bless!
