Psalm 124 (123):4Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The prophet indicates that without the all-powerful aid of God, we would have undoubtedly been swept away and met with demise. Chrysostom adds that we should not grow weary in the face of adversity; these challenges are akin to a flood, transient in nature no matter their form. Every hardship we encounter has an endpoint; every crisis will eventually resolve. If troubles persisted indefinitely, our very nature would be unable to withstand it. While it is true that many may be swept away, it is not against their will, but rather due to their own complacency and susceptibility to temptation. The deluge may seem overwhelming for a time, but it will eventually recede, becoming diminished and exhausted.

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble; therefore will not we fear, 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 delivered; they trusted in You, and were not confounded" (Psalm 22:4-5). "O Lord, You are our dwelling place in all generations" (Psalm 90:1). This shield was a bulwark for our ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as it is written: "He allowed no one to oppress them; He rebuked kings for their sakes" (1 Chronicles 16:21). Under this protective shield, Joseph remained unblemished in spirit and body, with the arrows of temptation and hardship failing to harm him. Similarly, Israel was shielded upon their exodus from Egypt, protected from Pharaoh, their oppressor, as well as from adversaries they encountered along their journey and in the promised land. "If the Lord had not been on our side," may Israel proclaim, "when men rose up against us, they would have swallowed us quick, when their wrath was kindled against us, the waters would have overwhelmed us" (Psalm 124:1-4). King David of Israel stood against all his foes, asserting, "All nations surrounded me; in the name of the Lord, I cut them off. They surrounded me like bees; they blazed like fire among thorns; in the name of the Lord, I cut them off" (Psalm 118:10-12). Throughout history, prophets, apostles, saints, martyrs, and those who have lived righteously have found protection under this shield. They endured various trials, temptations, and sufferings yet remained steadfast. Today's true Christians also turn to this invincible shield, and, emboldened, sing, "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 refuge" (Psalm 46:1, 7). "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). Saint Paul, a devoted servant of God, triumphed over all hell and the powers of darkness.

Dear Christian, Satan and all evil spirits harbor relentless wrath against humanity, particularly against those who truly follow Christ. Like predatory beasts lurking in shadow, they surround us imperceptibly, seeking our downfall, often employing false Christians and wicked individuals as their agents. Who could withstand their accusations and assaults if the Lord did not shield him with His goodness and cover him with His grace? He would surely perish in an instant. Indeed, the words of St. David, recalling the defense of ancient Israel, apply to the new Israel, the Christians: "If the Lord had not been on our side, let Israel now say, if the Lord had not been on our side when men rose against us, they would have swallowed us alive; their anger would have overwhelmed us like rushing waters" (Psalm 124:1-3). The living would have been consumed by our adversaries if the Lord had not been with us. "Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us as prey to their teeth" (Psalm 124:6). Thus, we see how futile it is to place hope in anything apart from God. Human support is weak and unreliable, offering only a false sense of security. Therefore, forsaking all else, we turn to this assured and powerful 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 cunning and manipulative words, wealth, social status, noble connections, or other worldly means to defend themselves, these are but hollow defenses. Their hopes will inevitably lead to disappointment. Instead, we shall defend ourselves in the name of the Lord, and we will not be ashamed. Take heart, Christian, let the name of the Lord be your source of refuge against every accusation of the enemy. "I will love You, O Lord, my strength! The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold" (Psalm 18:1-2). "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 hiding place from trouble, You shall surround me with songs of deliverance" (Psalm 32:7). "You are my strength, I will sing praises to You, for You are my fortress, my God, my mercy" (Psalm 59:17). When a Christian rests in God's grace and the shelter of the Almighty, he will not falter, even if all evil rises up against him — the world itself, along with all demons from hell and every calamity. For God is mightier than all, holding him securely in His powerful hand, protecting and preserving him. Do not fear, O faithful and God-loving soul. "He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence; He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall find refuge. His faithfulness 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" (Psalm 91:3-6). This message encapsulates the essence of the entire psalm.

A literal translation of this sentiment would read, "if it were not for the Lord being with us." The word "kako" implies, "if it were not for," highlighting the Lord's essential support. In verse 5 of the Hebrew, the phrase conveys a yearning, “may the flood have swept over our souls.” In the Greek, it is rendered "ανυπόστατον," while the Slavonic translates it as "unstable," referring to water. Based on the Greek interpretation, this undoubtedly suggests an image of deep, bottomless waters from which there is no escape; some Church Fathers described it as immense waters, while others transition from this metaphor to its reality, interpreting it as overwhelming calamities that lead to ruin. Therefore, let us bless the Lord who has rescued us from peril (vv. 6-7). The Almighty, who created heaven and earth, has been our help, and only He can provide aid; thus, our hope is firmly anchored in Him (v. 8).

If the Lord were not with us, the destructive demons would have consumed us completely; indeed, the enemy, the devil, would relentless attempt to lead the apostles astray. This malevolent and insatiable beast, if allowed free rein, would have caused chaos and destruction everywhere. Just as he managed to bring devastation upon the blessed Job—destroying his home, afflicting his body, unleashing misfortunes, wiping out his possessions, taking his children, tormenting him with afflictions, turning his wife against him, and inciting his friends to betray him—imagine the total ruin he would wreak if not restrained in various ways. The unending torrent of evil and demonic seductions is countered by the waters of holy baptism, persistent prayer, steadfast endurance through trials, and heartfelt tears of repentance. The teeth represent the cruelty of demons; the snares signify the charms of idolatry, which man was liberated from through the incarnation of Christ the Savior.