Psalm 124:2
New International Version
if the LORD had not been on our side when people attacked us,

New Living Translation
What if the LORD had not been on our side when people attacked us?

English Standard Version
if it had not been the LORD who was on our side when people rose up against us,

Berean Standard Bible
if the LORD had not been on our side when men attacked us,

King James Bible
If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us:

New King James Version
“If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, When men rose up against us,

New American Standard Bible
“Had it not been the LORD who was on our side When people rose up against us,

NASB 1995
“Had it not been the LORD who was on our side When men rose up against us,

NASB 1977
“Had it not been the LORD who was on our side, When men rose up against us;

Legacy Standard Bible
“Had it not been Yahweh who was on our side When men rose up against us,

Amplified Bible
“If it had not been the LORD who was on our side When men rose up against us,

Christian Standard Bible
if the LORD had not been on our side when people attacked us,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
If the LORD had not been on our side when men attacked us,

American Standard Version
If it had not been Jehovah who was on our side, When men rose up against us;

Contemporary English Version
"The LORD was on our side! Otherwise, the enemy attack

English Revised Version
If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"If the LORD had not been on our side when people attacked us,

Good News Translation
"If the LORD had not been on our side when our enemies attacked us,

International Standard Version
if the LORD had not been on our side, when men came against us,

Majority Standard Bible
if the LORD had not been on our side when men attacked us,

NET Bible
if the LORD had not been on our side, when men attacked us,

New Heart English Bible
if it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us;

Webster's Bible Translation
If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us:

World English Bible
if it had not been Yahweh who was on our side, when men rose up against us,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
If YHWH had not been for us, "" In the rising up of man against us,

Young's Literal Translation
Save for Jehovah -- who hath been for us, In the rising up of man against us,

Smith's Literal Translation
Unless Jehovah was to us in the rising up of man against us,
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
If it had not been that the Lord was with us, When men rose up against us

Catholic Public Domain Version
if the Lord had not been with us, when men rose up against us,

New American Bible
Had not the LORD been with us, when people rose against us,

New Revised Standard Version
if it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when our enemies attacked us,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
If it had not been the LORD who stood on our side when men rose up against us,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
For if it was not LORD JEHOVAH who stood for us when the children of men stood up against us,
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
If it had not been the LORD who was for us, When men rose up against us,

Brenton Septuagint Translation
if it had not been that the Lord was among us, when men rose up against us;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Our Help is in the Name of the LORD
1A song of ascents. Of David. If the LORD had not been on our side—let Israel now declare— 2if the LORD had not been on our side when men attacked us, 3when their anger flared against us, then they would have swallowed us alive,…

Cross References
Romans 8:31
What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Exodus 14:14
The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

Isaiah 41:10
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

2 Chronicles 20:17
You need not fight this battle. Take up your positions, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out and face them tomorrow, for the LORD is with you.’”

Deuteronomy 20:4
For the LORD your God goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.”

Isaiah 43:2
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched; the flames will not set you ablaze.

Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

1 Samuel 17:47
And all those assembled here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give all of you into our hands.”

2 Kings 6:16
“Do not be afraid,” Elisha answered, “for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

Isaiah 54:17
No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD.

Matthew 28:20
and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

John 16:33
I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!”

Hebrews 13:6
So we say with confidence: “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”

1 John 4:4
You, little children, are from God and have overcome them, because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.


Treasury of Scripture

If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us:

when men

Psalm 21:1,2
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The king shall joy in thy strength, O LORD; and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice! …

Psalm 3:1
A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.

Psalm 22:12,13,16
Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round…

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Psalm 124
1. The church blesses God for a miraculous deliverance














if the LORD had not been on our side
This phrase emphasizes the dependence of the Israelites on God's protection and intervention. Throughout the Old Testament, Israel's survival and success are attributed to God's presence and support. This reflects the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where God promises to be their protector. The phrase echoes the sentiment found in other Psalms, such as Psalm 118:6, "The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?" It underscores the belief that without God's help, Israel would have been vulnerable to its enemies.

when men attacked us
This part of the verse refers to the numerous times Israel faced threats from surrounding nations. Historically, Israel was often under threat from powerful neighbors like Egypt, Assyria, and Babylon. The phrase can be seen as a reminder of specific events, such as the Exodus, when Pharaoh's army pursued the Israelites, or the various battles during the time of the Judges and Kings. It highlights the reality of human opposition and the need for divine intervention. This also points to the spiritual battles believers face, as described in Ephesians 6:12, where the struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who is portrayed as the protector and deliverer of His people.

2. Israel
The nation of God's chosen people, often facing threats from surrounding nations and internal challenges.

3. David (implied author)
Traditionally attributed as the author of this Psalm, David often experienced God's deliverance from his enemies.

4. Enemies/Attackers
Represents the various nations and individuals who opposed Israel throughout its history.

5. Zion (implied context)
The city of Jerusalem, often seen as the spiritual and political center of Israel, frequently under threat.
Teaching Points
God's Faithfulness in Deliverance
Reflect on how God has been faithful in delivering His people throughout history. Consider personal testimonies of God's intervention in your life.

The Reality of Spiritual Warfare
Recognize that believers face spiritual attacks, but God is our defender. Equip yourself with the armor of God as described in Ephesians 6.

Trust in God's Sovereignty
Trust that God is in control, even when circumstances seem dire. His plans for His people are for good and not for harm.

Community and Intercession
Encourage prayer and support within the Christian community. Just as Israel relied on God's help, we should intercede for one another.

Gratitude for God's Protection
Cultivate a heart of gratitude for the times God has protected and delivered you. Share these accounts to encourage others.(2) If it had not been.--For this motto of the covenant, see Psalm 94:17.

Men.--Better, man. In this use of the general term, we must, as Reuss points out, see an indication of the time of composition of the psalm. One who could so speak of the whole world as separated into two parts (Jews and heathen), discloses a sense of isolation and exclusiveness which brings us far down from the time of the prophets. They, indeed, spoke of it as the ideal of the future. This psalmist regards it as an accomplished fact.

Verse 2. - If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us. The "rising" intended may have been that of Saul and his aiders and abettors, or that of the Ammonites and Syrians (2 Samuel 10:6-8), or that of Absalom and his partisans (2 Samuel 15:2-13).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
if the LORD
יְ֭הוָה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

had not
לוּלֵ֣י (lū·lê)
Conjunction
Strong's 3884: If not, unless

been on our side
שֶׁהָ֣יָה (še·hā·yāh)
Pronoun - relative | Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

when men
אָדָֽם׃ (’ā·ḏām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being

attacked
בְּק֖וּם (bə·qūm)
Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand

us,
עָלֵ֣ינוּ (‘ā·lê·nū)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against


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OT Poetry: Psalm 124:2 If it had not been Yahweh who (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 124:1
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