Psalm 124
The Lord, Our Deliverer
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Intro
Psalm 124, another one of the Songs of Ascents, is a powerful reflection on God's deliverance of His people. Through its verses, the Psalmist contemplates the dire circumstances they would have faced had it not been for the Lord's intervention. In the context of the New Covenant, this Psalm resonates with the deliverance believers experience through Jesus Christ, our ultimate Savior.
Section 1: Contemplation of Danger (Verses 1-5)
"If the LORD had not been on our side—let Israel now declare—if the LORD had not been on our side when men attacked us, when their anger flared against us, then they would have swallowed us alive, then the floods would have engulfed us, then the torrent would have overwhelmed us, then the raging waters would have swept us away."
Harmony
The intense danger depicted here parallels the spiritual dangers humanity faces: sin, death, and separation from God. These dangers threaten to engulf us, much like the floods described in the Psalm. However, in the New Covenant, it's clear that Jesus becomes our refuge, saving us from sin and death (Romans 8:2).
Talking Points
The dire circumstances Israel faced and their dependence on God's deliverance.
The parallel between the physical dangers Israel faced and the spiritual dangers every person confronts.
Jesus as the ultimate Deliverer who frees believers from the bondage of sin and death.
Questions
How does the Psalmist's reflection on past dangers emphasize Israel's dependence on God?
In what ways do the dangers described resonate with the spiritual perils we face?
How has Jesus delivered you from the "raging waters" of life?
Section 2: Praise for Deliverance (Verses 6-8)
"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 fowler; the net is torn, and we have slipped away. Our help is in the name of the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth."
Harmony
The Psalmist's celebration of deliverance is a precursor to the joy believers experience in Christ. Jesus speaks of having overcome the world (John 16:33) and through Him, believers are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37). The breaking of the snare mirrors the breaking of sin's power and the chains of death through Christ's resurrection.
Talking Points
The heartfelt gratitude and joy expressed by the Psalmist for God's deliverance.
The breaking of the snare as a symbol of breaking free from spiritual bondage.
The powerful name of the Lord, echoed in the New Testament, as the name above all names – Jesus.
Questions
How does the Psalmist describe their feeling of liberation from danger?
How does the breaking of the snare relate to spiritual freedom in Christ?
Why is it important to recognize that our help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth?
Summary
Psalm 124, viewed through the lens of the New Covenant in Christ, is a song of gratitude and praise for God's deliverance and protection, finding its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus.
The psalmist's declaration that "if it had not been the Lord who was on our side" aligns with our acknowledgment that it's only through Jesus that we find salvation and rescue from sin (Acts 4:12, Ephesians 2:8-9).
His description of the enemy's attack being thwarted corresponds to Jesus' triumph over the powers of darkness through His death and resurrection (Colossians 2:15, Hebrews 2:14-15).
The declaration that their help is in the name of the Lord reflects our reliance on Jesus' name, which is powerful and holds authority over all things (Philippians 2:9-11, Acts 4:12).
The acknowledgment that God is the maker of heaven and earth aligns with our recognition that Jesus is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe (Colossians 1:16-17, John 1:3).
The psalmist's expression of God's faithful and steadfast love corresponds to our experience of Jesus' sacrificial love and His promise to never leave us (John 3:16, Hebrews 13:5).
Ultimately, Psalm 124 leads us to Jesus as our Savior, Protector, and the source of our deliverance, inviting us to give thanks for His amazing grace and unending love.