Psalm 124 (123):5Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Another interpretation suggests that those who are arrogant like mighty waters would have overwhelmed our spirits. Do you perceive the assistance of God? In the face of such trials, He does not permit us to be overwhelmed by despair. God allows hardships to increase, not to drown us, but to deepen our understanding and to reveal His might more vividly. The proud are identified here as adversaries, who, striking with greater force than any torrent or indomitable flood, inflicted no damage upon us; and this is due to the aid of God, the support from on high, the unwavering protection.

This expression is meant to be understood metaphorically. When the Prophet declares, "For the living have consumed us," he illustrates an overwhelming multitude that surges like a flood, aiming to engulf everything in its path. The choice of the flood imagery is significant; just as a flood arises from abundant rain and gains immense force, those who descended upon Jerusalem were assembled from numerous diverse nations. However, they faced defeat through the just decree of God, a truth that the Prophet conveys.

Our spirit shall traverse the unwavering waters. The text conveys that we have indeed gone through and crossed over—this is the essence of αρα—the intolerable striving of the nations around us, and we have found refuge because the Lord supports us. Divine Cyril notes that unstable waters represent the most distressing trials, characterized by sudden assaults. Those who have been privileged to navigate the devil's temptations unscathed, like turbulent streams, can joyfully declare: our spirit has passed through the flood. Nyssky points out that while the devil's malice may seem insufferable and relentless in our thoughts, flooding through our passions, we find strength in Christ, as we will endure and overcome the continual attacks like a stream.

The author extends the previously mentioned analogy by likening the fierce assaults of adversaries to a rapid and profound river that engulfs all in its path, making it impossible to navigate without substantial support. If one reflects on the tribulations inflicted by pagans and heretics upon the holy martyrs and other witnesses of Christ, it becomes evident that these sufferings resembled an overwhelming torrent. Although the holy martyrs and witnesses emerged through this ordeal with honor, many, if not countless, were swept away and consumed by its fierce currents, as illustrated by St. Cyprian’s remarks regarding those who have fallen, and by Eusebius of Caesarea in Book 8 of his Church History, Chapter 1.

God is our sole helper. While the Hebrew text of the Psalms attributes this particular psalm to David, this attribution is somewhat challenged by the Aramaic influence present in its language. It is likely that this psalm was composed as a hymn of gratitude following the deliverance from threats posed by the Arameans and Idumeans (as recounted in 2 Samuel 8 and thereafter). Additionally, it might reflect the sentiments of those returning from exile, who acknowledge that if the Lord had not been present with us—an acknowledgment that must be made by all of Israel—our fierce adversaries would have overwhelmed us (vv. 1 and 2). We would have certainly been swept away by the torrent of the enemy's might (3-5) if the Lord had not been among us.

As the Word of God took on human form and lived among us, those who are baptized into Christ don the mantle of Christ, becoming empowered and emboldened against malevolent spirits. The angels fell from grace due to their pride, while believers open the gates of heaven, claiming their heavenly inheritance in Jerusalem, as children of God. Idolaters require the living presence of the holy martyrs to offer to their false gods, yet these holy martyrs, fortified by the Lord Christ, fear not those who can take life but are unable to destroy the soul. The waters represent the trials and tribulations inflicted by the wicked upon those who trust in Christ, the true Deity.