Psalms of Ascent Part 5

Psa 124:1 A Song of degrees of David. If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, now may Israel say;
Psa 124:2 If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us:
Psa 124:3 Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us:
Psa 124:4 Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul:
Psa 124:5 Then the proud waters had gone over our soul.
Psa 124:6 Blessed be the LORD, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth.
Psa 124:7 Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped.
Psa 124:8 Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

This Psalm again shows the impossibility of the pilgrim making it to the end without the sovereign intervention of God. The pilgrim is almost swallowed, almost, but not quite. As Paul put it, “Persecuted, but not forsaken, cast down, but not destroyed…” (2 Cor. 4:9).

We have a very real implacable enemy who is intent on our destruction, he lays all manner of traps to snare us. However above him is God, “Blessed be the LORD, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth.” It is God who warns us of the snares that have been laid in our path, and it is God who can deliver us if we are snared.

A snare always has a bait that appeals to something within us. Our enemy knows our weaknesses and he baits his traps well. The fear of the Lord and the counsel of wise men are fountains of life that keep us from these snares (Prov. 13:14; 14:27). As we fear the Lord and head wise counsel, we are made aware of traps and can avoid them. This is the best way.

David who penned this Psalm was snared, but delivered by God through much difficulty. The same God who keeps us from falling can also deliver us if we have fallen if we will call to Him. It is God alone who can show us the snares it is God alone who can break them and deliver us if we have fallen, so when we arrive at our eternal inheritance we will all fall before His throne for what He alone was able to do in bringing us there. Praise His name!