A gradual canticle. If it had not been that the Lord was with us, let Israel now say:
שִׁ֥יר הַֽמַּעֲל֗וֹת לְדָ֫וִ֥ד לוּלֵ֣י יְ֭הוָה שֶׁהָ֣יָה לָ֑נוּ יֹֽאמַר־נָ֝א יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
8 Church Fathers comment on this verse
I have frequently expressed, and I will continue to express, the profound benefits of captivity, which can guide those who are vigilant toward various forms of wisdom. Observe how those who turned to idols and strayed from God, embracing wickedness, now proclaim their salvation as a gift from Him following their time of captivity. The prophet, as a truly wise shepherd, instructs them to continually declare this truth.
Those who arrived in the territory of the Jewish people, proclaiming the fifth hymn, lift up their petitions for liberation from bondage and protection from the adversaries that menaced them along their journey.
Song of Ascents. Following the return of the Jewish people from Babylon, the surrounding nations, angered by their liberation, united in hostility against them. They assembled various barbaric tribes to wage war, aiming to erase the very memory of the Israelites. Yet, the God of all creation defended His people once more, striking down their foes. Numerous prophets, including Joel, Ezekiel, Micah, Zechariah, among others, prophesy about this conflict. Blessed David also foretold these events, recognizing the Lord's presence: “If the Lord had not been on our side, let Israel say.” See v. 2.
As they returned from Babylon, the surrounding nations, envious of the Jews' liberation, united against them in conflict, gathering together many wild tribes to confront them. The Jews express in verses 1-2: "If the Lord had not been on our side, let Israel now declare; if the Lord had not been on our side when men attacked us, they would have swallowed us alive." This proclamation reflects the experience of the Jews upon their return to Jerusalem. They acknowledge that, because of the holiness of God, they instruct the people to recite that their adversaries rose up against them before Jerusalem had been fortified. Indeed, without the Lord’s presence and assistance, their deliverance would not have been possible; their foes would have consumed them in their fury.
The phrase "would have swallowed us alive" illustrates the swiftness of the destruction that would have consumed them. Some suggest that the Greek conjunction οτι is redundant in this context.
Eusebius notes that the elders who survived and gained their freedom imparted these truths to the young men born in Babylon. Origen recounts that it was customary for the priest to stand on one of the temple steps in the morning and proclaim these words to the people: "Let Israel now say, If the Lord had not been with us," prompting the congregation to respond in accordance with this command. Chrysostom reflects on David, an exemplary singer in the assembly, urging his disciples to affirm that if the Lord had not been with them, they would have faced dire circumstances. He continues to emphasize the profound lessons learned from captivity; those who once sought after idols and disregarded God are now, in recognition of their salvation, giving credit to Him and offering a song of gratitude to the victorious one.
Let us also declare that, had the Lord not been present with us, wicked demons would have engulfed us. Consider what the enemy, the devil—who has long sought to ensnare the apostles—might do, being ever a cruel and unquenchable beast; were he not often restrained, he would corrupt all. Eusebius elaborates that one who, having succumbed to sin before enduring temptation, becomes engulfed by death during persecution, whereas one who has lived righteously, yet turns away during trials to become a total apostate, is ultimately overwhelmed by the living. The true Israel, marked by purity of soul and indwelled by the Lord, will never encounter such a fate. Theodoret clarifies that the phrase "the living would be swallowed" signifies that they would not merely be denied burial, but would be consumed alive like a beast.
In the world, we observe that soldiers protect themselves from the arrows of their foes. Beloved Christian, our existence resembles a continuous struggle against numerous adversaries. We combat the devil and his angels, contend with our flesh and its desires, confront the wickedness of the world, resist false brethren, and face both hidden and overt enemies. This struggle is relentless and daunting. What protection can we employ against the attacks of our adversaries on that dreadful day? The sacred Scriptures guide us toward faith in the name of the Lord, and the lives of the saints bear witness to this truth. All faithful Christians lean on this divine shield during times of trouble, safeguarding themselves from their foes.
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble; therefore, we will not fear, though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea" (Psalm 46:1-2). "In You, our fathers trusted; they trusted, and You delivered them; to You they cried, and were saved; in You they trusted, and were not put to shame" (Psalm 22:5-6). "O Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations" (Psalm 90:1).
With this shield, our ancestors—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—defended themselves, as it is recorded: "He allowed no one to oppress them, and He rebuked kings on their account" (1 Chronicles 16:21). By this shield, Joseph remained unscathed, both in spirit and in body, despite the temptations and trials he faced. Through this shield, Israel was protected when they departed from Egypt, safeguarded against the oppressions of Pharaoh and all the foes they encountered along the way, remaining unharmed from countless enemies as they dwelled in the promised land. "If the Lord had not been on our side," let Israel declare, "if the Lord had not been on our side when men rose up against us, they would have swallowed us alive; when their anger was kindled against us, the waters would have overwhelmed us" (Psalm 124:1-4).
King David of Israel stood firm against all his enemies, declaring of himself: "All nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord, I cut them off; they surrounded me like bees; they went out like a fire among thorns; I cut them off in the name of the Lord" (Psalm 118:10-12). The prophets, apostles, saints, martyrs, and all beloved of God throughout the ages have found shelter under this shield. They were defended in numerous trials, afflictions, and hardships. Today, sincere Christians also turn to this mighty, impenetrable shield, boldly singing: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble; the Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress" (Psalm 46:1, 11). "If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things?" (Romans 8:31-32).
The Apostle Paul, filled with courage and victory over all adversities, calls us to recognize that Satan and his malevolent spirits relentlessly assail humanity—especially true Christians. Like prowling beasts, they circle invisibly, striving to lead us to ruin, either directly or through false brethren and wicked individuals. Who could possibly stand against their accusations and attacks if the Lord did not offer protection through His goodness and the shelter of His loving care? Truly, in a moment, we would be lost. What David declared about Israel’s protection is equally true for the new Israel, the believers. The living would undoubtedly be consumed by our adversaries had God not been with us to sustain us. "Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us as prey to their teeth" (Psalm 124:6). Thus, we see the futility of placing our trust in anyone but God. Every human ally is ultimately unreliable, and every other shield is but a false security. So we abandon all else and turn to this firm and unwavering protection. "It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man; it is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes" (Psalm 118:8-9).
While some seek their protection in shrewdness, wealth, status, or the influence of nobles, such defenses are inadequate and frail. Their hope is destined to fail. We will stand firm in the name of the Lord, and we shall not be ashamed. Dear Christian, put your faith fully in God, for the name of the Lord serves as a refuge against all his accusations. "I love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress, my deliverer, my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies" (Psalm 18:1-3). "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me" (Psalm 23:4). "You are my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust" (Psalm 91:2). "You are my help, and I will sing praises to You, for You are my strength, my God, and my mercy" (Psalm 59:17).
When a Christian abides in the grace of God, resting under the protection of the Most High, even when evildoers and demonic forces rise against them, they will be unharmed amidst all trials and tribulations. For God is mightier than all; in His mighty right hand, He upholds, protects, and preserves them. Fear not, O faithful soul. "He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence; He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings, you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror by night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you" (Psalm 91:3-7). This wisdom is the essence of the entire Psalm.
This psalm conveys the joy of a people freed from severe trials. The Israelites who returned to Jerusalem after their Babylonian exile, although they encountered no significant persecution during their journey (as there is no record of it), faced considerable suffering while in captivity and during the rebuilding of the city and the temple, as illustrated in the books of Ezra. If we interpret this psalm in relation to the physical Israelites, it pertains to the hardships they endured either in exile or during the reconstruction of the temple and city.
However, if we consider it in the light of the spiritual Israelites, meaning Christians on their pilgrimage to the heavenly Jerusalem, it refers to the persecutions inflicted by Gentiles and other wicked individuals from which the holy martyrs and God’s chosen people were rescued.
The psalm begins with the declaration: "If the Lord had not been on our side, let Israel now say." This emphasizes that, had the Lord not been present with them, they would not have survived the trials. In a moment of overwhelming joy, the speaker invokes all of Israel, the entire people of God, to praise Him, repeating the sentiment of divine support. The lines illustrate the terrifying nature of their persecutors, who would have consumed them alive had it not been for divine protection. The language used suggests an imminent danger akin to being overwhelmed by raging waters, which signifies the dire circumstances they faced.
The repetition within the text serves to highlight the gravity of their plight; when in distress, their fears are magnified, while in moments of relief, they tend to forget the severity of their past suffering. The enemy's brutality is underscored, revealing not only their fierce nature but also the overwhelming odds against the people of God, who faced not just a few foes but the entirety of malevolent humanity. The statement regarding their adversaries—"For they would have swallowed us alive"—not only illustrates the savagery of their enemies but also emphasizes their unbridled power, as the unarmed could be easily torn apart without the need for formal conflict. The psalm as a whole reflects on the immeasurable power of God and the deliverance He has shown, underscoring that divine rescue transcends human strength and ability.
God alone has been our aid. As indicated by the title in the Hebrew version of the Psalms (the LXX translation, the Vulgate, and many ancient versions lack a title for this psalm), this psalm is attributed to David, although the Aramaic nuances in its language suggest otherwise. It seems likely that it was composed as a hymn of gratitude after threats from the Arameans and Idumeans were thwarted (2 Samuel 8ff. 10ff.). It is also possible that the exiles returning from captivity are expressing their thankfulness: if the Lord had not been on our side—this is a solemn declaration for all of Israel—our fierce opponents would have overwhelmed us (vv. 1 and 2); we would have certainly been swept away by the tide of the enemy's might (3-5).
In essence, without the Lord among us, we would have faced dire consequences. The literal translation of the key phrase is, “if it were not that the Lord was with us.” The term "kako" here denotes the sentiment: 'if not for the Lord's presence with us.' This captures the essence of the Greek text accurately. Verse 5 of the Hebrew version conveys, "would that the tempestuous waters had engulfed our souls." In the Greek, this is rendered as “ανυπόστατον,” and in the Slavonic, it is described as unstable, referring to turbulent waters. The underlying meaning in the Greek emphasizes overwhelmingly deep (bottomless) waters from which there is no escape; some early church Fathers interpreted it as immense waters, while others, transitioning from the metaphor to the reality of severe trials, translated it as unbearable, suggesting those in which one perishes. Therefore, let us praise the Lord, who has rescued us from peril (vv. 6 and 7): He, the Almighty Creator of heaven and earth, has been our helper, and only He can provide support. Thus, our hope is firmly placed in Him (v. 8).
As the Word of God became incarnate and lived among us, those who were baptized into Christ were clothed in His righteousness, empowering them and instilling in them a boldness against evil spirits. Those demons, cast out of heaven due to their pride, are juxtaposed with Christians who open the gates of heaven, residing in the Heavenly Jerusalem as true children of God. Idolaters seek to bring suffering upon the holy martyrs, attempting to sacrifice them to their idols, yet these martyrs, sustained by our Lord Christ, hold no fear of those who can only kill the body but not the soul. The tribulations and persecutions from the wicked towards the believers in Christ serve as a metaphorical flood, illustrating the challenges faced.
Were it not for the Lord’s presence within us, we would have been consumed by the ruthless demons; how malicious the adversary, the devil, who persistently sought to dismantle the apostles as well. This relentless and insatiable foe, if not continuously restrained, would surely have wreaked havoc. Consider how, having been granted limited power over Job, he devastated his household, afflicted his body, caused calamities, took away his possessions, killed his children, afflicted him with disease, turned his wife against him, and incited his friends to scorn him—if he had not been limited by the grace of God, would he not have annihilated everything? The endless tide of wickedness and demonic forces is vanquished by the waters of holy baptism, steadfast prayer, the endurance of suffering, and the tears of repentance. The teeth symbolize the cruelty of demons, and the traps represent the allure of idolatry, from which humanity has been liberated through the incarnation of Christ our Savior.
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS