Psalm 124 (123):3Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Thus, to avoid being swept away into the depths of this torrent, let us carefully observe its course and cling firmly to the unshakeable anchor of faith, so we do not find ourselves in ruin. Likewise, the torrent may seem daunting for a season, but it will eventually subside greatly. 'The waters would drown us.' Another translator notes that the waters would engulf us like a deep abyss, reaching to our very souls.

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble; therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea" (Psalm 46:1-2). "In You our fathers trusted; they trusted, and You delivered them; they cried to You, and were saved; in You they trusted, and were not ashamed" (Psalm 22:5-6). "O Lord, You are our refuge in all generations" (Psalm 89:2). Our forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, fortified themselves with this shield, as it is written: "He allowed no one to oppress them, and He rebuked kings for their sakes" (1 Chronicles 16:21). Under this mantle, Joseph remained pure in body and spirit, unaffected by the arrows of temptation and adversity aimed at him. By this shield, Israel was protected as they left Egypt, safeguarded from Pharaoh, their oppressor, and from adversaries that confronted them along their journey, while they dwelled in the promised land. "If it had not been the Lord who was on our side," may Israel declare, "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" (Psalms 124:1-4). King David, a stalwart of Israel, overcame all of his foes, proclaiming: "All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord, I will destroy them; they surrounded me like bees; they were quenched like a fire of thorns, for in the name of the Lord, I will destroy them" (Psalm 118:10-12). The prophets, apostles, martyrs, hermits, and all the saints who have sought to please God throughout the ages were sustained under this shield, enduring various trials, afflictions, and tribulations. Today, true Christians turn to this steadfast and invincible protector, 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 shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:31-32). St. Paul, a valiant soul devoted to God, triumphed over hell's forces and the enemy's power. Dear Christian, be aware that Satan and all wicked spirits harbor relentless hatred for humanity, particularly against true believers. Like predators of the night, they encircle us invisibly, seeking to bring about our destruction, either directly or through deceitful Christians and other malevolent individuals. Who could withstand their accusations and assaults without the Lord's divine protection, which shields us with His goodness and the covering of His gracious wings? Without it, we would swiftly perish. Indeed, what was sung by St. David regarding ancient Israel's defense is equally applicable to the new Israel, the Christians. "If it had not been the Lord who was on our side," let us reflect, "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). "Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us as prey to their teeth" (Psalm 124:6). Thus, we learn how futile it is to place hope in anything other than God. What a fragile foundation is found in man, a feeble shield in any creature. Therefore, casting aside all else, we cling to this sure and unyielding shield. "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 may rely on their cunning or wealth, others on their status or the favor of nobles, all such defenses are ultimately false and unreliable. Their trust will lead to disappointment. We will seek refuge in the name of the Lord and will not be put to shame. Beloved Christian, be solely devoted to God, and the name of the Lord will grant you protection from all accusations. "I will 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; so shall I be 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, my portion in the land of the living. Rescue me from my persecutors, for they are stronger than I" (Psalm 31:7). "You are my Helper; to You I will sing praises, for You are my Advocate, my God, my mercy" (Psalm 59:18). When a Christian resides in God’s grace, relying on the protection of the Most High, nothing can prevail against him, regardless of the multitude of evildoers, trials, or calamities that may assail him, for God is mightier than all. With His all-powerful hand, He holds, protects, and preserves him. Fear not, O righteous and God-loving soul. "He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you" (Psalm 91:3-7). This is the essence of the entire psalm.

Conversely, when considered as a reflection of the spiritual Israelites—namely, Christians journeying toward the celestial Jerusalem—it pertains to the tribulations imposed by Gentiles and other malevolent individuals, from which the holy martyrs and chosen disciples were spared.

Should the Lord not have been on our side, let Israel declare: Had the Lord not stood with us when adversaries rose up against us, we would have been swallowed alive; when their wrath was ignited against us, the waters would have overwhelmed us. This fragmented and incomplete expression at the beginning of the psalm symbolizes profound joy, indicating that the speaker is momentarily unable to articulate his thoughts coherently. The Prophet, representing the multitude of saints who had experienced great deliverance, asserts that without the presence of Almighty God, their rescue would have been unattainable. He encourages all the people of God to join in praise, stating, “Let Israel speak,” reiterating, “If the Lord had not been on our side.” He emphasizes that when adversaries assaulted us, the threat of being devoured was imminent, much like the way rivers and oceans consume those who fall into them carelessly. He continues, noting that when their wrath surged, it was as if the waters were poised to engulf us.

The repetition of this thought is intentional: our fears can amplify beyond reason during times of distress, yet upon our deliverance, we often forget the depth of our suffering. It is a strategy of Satan to obscure God's mercy and fill our minds with distractions that diminish our awareness of divine compassion. Thus, the Prophet, portraying the people as astounded, reaffirms the urgency of recognizing God's protection. In the subsequent section, he praises the omnipotence of God, which is demonstrated in the liberation of His people from their foes, illustrating that such deliverance surpasses human capabilities. The term "men" signifies a multitude of enemies, suggesting that the people faced threats not merely from a few individuals or one nation, but from the entire world. The phrase “For they would have devoured us alive” reflects both the savage brutality of the adversaries and the imbalance of strength; they could have dismantled the defenseless flock without the need for arms or combat, attacking them with ferocity that belied their numbers.

The keen translation of the Greek text conveys the sentiment that it is ‘if it were not for the Lord being with us.’ Verse 5 from the Hebrew can be rendered as, ‘would that tumultuous waters had engulfed our souls.’ This phrase appears in Greek as ανυπόστατον and in the Slavonic as unstable, signifying turbulent waters. The interpretation of the Greek text suggests it refers to overwhelmingly deep, bottomless waters, from which escape is impossible. Some Church Fathers characterized it as immense water, while others pointed to the severity of calamities, rendering it as unbearable, signifying a state in which one perishes. Therefore, let us bless the Lord who has rescued us from peril (vv. 6-7): He, the Almighty Creator of heaven and earth, is our help, and it is solely upon Him that our hope rests (v. 8).

If our Lord had not dwelled within us, we would have surely been consumed by the destructive spirits; consider the relentless adversary, the devil, who sought to ensnare the apostles time and again. This insatiable creature, if left unchecked, would have wrought havoc upon everything. Just as, with limited authority over the righteous Job, he annihilated his home, inflicted suffering on his body, brought calamity upon his possessions, caused the death of his children, filled his flesh with afflictions, turned his wife against him, and incited enmity among his friends—if he had not been restrained in countless ways, would he not have destroyed all? The unending surge of malevolence and sorcery is vanquished by the waters of holy baptism, ceaseless prayer, the endurance of trials, and tears of repentance. The "teeth" symbolize diabolical malice, while the "net" represents the enticements of idolatry, from which humanity has been liberated through the incarnation of Christ the Savior.