Psalm 124—We are Blessed to Be on the Lord’s Side

“When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. But David heard of it and went down to the stronghold.” 2 Samuel 5:17

David faced threats—serious opposition—during his early reign. As he became king over Israel, the Philistines immediately sought after him. They pursued him to deliver his defeat. They sought to conquer him.

David learned not to trust in his own strength—or in horses or chariots. He learned to stay on the Lord’s side. He learned to hide under the shadow of the Lord’s wings.

“If it had not been the Lord who was on our side—let Israel now say…” Psalm 124:1

David knew the only way to lead Israel well was to lead by example. He trusted only in God. His defense was to be in step with the Lord of all. In essence, he is saying that he is on the Lord’s side and Israel should follow him in trusting in their God. Only in their God.

Never depend on yourself, chariots, or horses to be your defense.

“…if it had not been the Lord who was on our side when people rose up against us, then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their anger was kindled against us; then the flood would have swept us away, the torrent would have gone over us; then over us would have gone the raging waters.” Psalm 124:2-5

David testifies that when enemies rose up against his nation, it was the Lord who was their protection. If they did not choose to trust in their God, they would have been overwhelmed by the fury ignited against them—like a fire engulfs the fuel it consumes. Likewise, they could have been overwhelmed by the rising tide of the enemy’s attack. Floodwaters are impossible to deter, and in human terms, there was no stopping the horrendous flood.

“The only true way to deal with trouble is to open our door to it as coming from God on an errand of love, its hands filled with priceless gifts for our true enriching.” J. R. Miller, The Ministry of Comfort

To be clear, we are not talking about facing difficulty by human means. David seeks to trust only in the name of the Lord. And priceless gifts—that cannot be manufactured by ourselves—are delivered according to the measure of our trust.

“Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us as prey to their teeth! We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped!” Psalm 124:6-7

David blesses the Lord for his protection—a priceless gift. The teeth of the enemy cannot bite. The snare cannot contain God’s people. Like a bird is free to fly, so are God’s people. The very real snare is made powerless. God’s people are delivered from the hand of their enemy.

God’s people who are on God’s side are inspired to bless the name of the Lord.

If the Lord was not on the side of God’s people against their enemy, they would be defeated. Better said, defeat comes if God’s people are not on the Lord’s side. So now, God’s people are victorious. Sin has been defeated. Heaven, our eternal home, is secured. Why? Because help is only found in the name of the creator of heaven and earth. We are blessed when we are on the Lord’s side.

Blessed be his name!

“Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 124:8