CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 124:2 if the LORD had not been on our side when men attacked us,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/124-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/19_Psa_124_002.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 124:2 - Our Help is in the Name of the LORD" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="if the LORD had not been on our side when men attacked us," /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/psalms/124-2.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/psalms/124-2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/psalms/">Psalms</a> > <a href="/psalms/124.htm">Chapter 124</a> > Verse 2</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad2.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/psalms/124-1.htm" title="Psalm 124:1">◄</a> Psalm 124:2 <a href="/psalms/124-3.htm" title="Psalm 124:3">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/psalms/124.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/psalms/124.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />if the LORD had not been on our side when people attacked us,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/124.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />What if the LORD had not been on our side when people attacked us?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/124.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />if it had not been the LORD who was on our side when people rose up against us,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/124.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />if the LORD had not been on our side when men attacked us,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/124.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />If <i>it had</i> not <i>been</i> the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/124.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, When men rose up against us,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/124.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Had it not been the LORD who was on our side When people rose up against us,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/124.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Had it not been the LORD who was on our side When men rose up against us,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/124.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Had it not been the LORD who was on our side, When men rose up against us;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/124.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“Had it not been Yahweh who was on our side When men rose up against us,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/124.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“If it had not been the LORD who was on our side When men rose up against us,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/124.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />if the LORD had not been on our side when people attacked us,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/124.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If the LORD had not been on our side when men attacked us, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/124.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />If it had not been Jehovah who was on our side, When men rose up against us;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/124.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />"The LORD was on our side! Otherwise, the enemy attack <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/124.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/124.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"If the LORD had not been on our side when people attacked us,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/124.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"If the LORD had not been on our side when our enemies attacked us, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/124.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />if the LORD had not been on our side, when men came against us,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/124.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />if the LORD had not been on our side when men attacked us,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/124.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />if the LORD had not been on our side, when men attacked us, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/124.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />if it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/124.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/124.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />if it had not been Yahweh who was on our side, when men rose up against us, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/124.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />If YHWH had not been for us, "" In the rising up of man against us,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/124.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Save for Jehovah -- who hath been for us, In the rising up of man against us,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/124.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Unless Jehovah was to us in the rising up of man against us,<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/124.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />If it had not been that the Lord was with us, When men rose up against us <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/124.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 123:2>if the Lord had not been with us, when men rose up against us,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/124.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Had not the LORD been with us, when people rose against us, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/124.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />if it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when our enemies attacked us,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/124.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />If it had not been the LORD who stood on our side when men rose up against us,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/124.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />For if it was not LORD JEHOVAH who stood for us when the children of men stood up against us,<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/124.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />If it had not been the LORD who was for us, When men rose up against us,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/124.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />if it had not been that the Lord was among us, when men rose up against us;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/124-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=16196" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/124.htm">Our Help is in the Name of the LORD</a></span><br><span class="reftext">1</span>A song of ascents. Of David. If the LORD had not been on our side—let Israel now declare— <span class="reftext">2</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">if the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/3884.htm" title="3884: lū·lê (Conj) -- If not, unless. Or luwley; from luw' and lo'; if not.">had not</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: še·hā·yāh (Pro-r:: V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">been</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·nū (Prep:: 1cp) -- ">on our side</a> <a href="/hebrew/120.htm" title="120: ’ā·ḏām (N-ms) -- Man, mankind. From 'adam; ruddy i.e. A human being.">when men</a> <a href="/hebrew/6965.htm" title="6965: bə·qūm (Prep-b:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To arise, stand up, stand. A primitive root; to rise.">attacked</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘ā·lê·nū (Prep:: 1cp) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">us,</a> </span><span class="reftext">3</span>when their anger flared against us, then they would have swallowed us alive,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-31.htm">Romans 8:31</a></span><br />What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/14-14.htm">Exodus 14:14</a></span><br />The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/41-10.htm">Isaiah 41:10</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/20-17.htm">2 Chronicles 20:17</a></span><br />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.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/20-4.htm">Deuteronomy 20:4</a></span><br />For the LORD your God goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/43-2.htm">Isaiah 43:2</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/1-9.htm">Joshua 1:9</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/17-47.htm">1 Samuel 17:47</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/6-16.htm">2 Kings 6:16</a></span><br />“Do not be afraid,” Elisha answered, “for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/54-17.htm">Isaiah 54:17</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/28-20.htm">Matthew 28:20</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/16-33.htm">John 16:33</a></span><br />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!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/13-6.htm">Hebrews 13:6</a></span><br />So we say with confidence: “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/4-4.htm">1 John 4:4</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/4-13.htm">Philippians 4:13</a></span><br />I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us:</p><p class="hdg">when men</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/21-1.htm">Psalm 21:1,2</a></b></br> 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! … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/3-1.htm">Psalm 3:1</a></b></br> A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many <i>are</i> they that rise up against me.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/22-12.htm">Psalm 22:12,13,16</a></b></br> Many bulls have compassed me: strong <i>bulls</i> of Bashan have beset me round… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/53-5.htm">Attacked</a> <a href="/psalms/113-3.htm">Rising</a> <a href="/psalms/119-147.htm">Rose</a> <a href="/psalms/124-1.htm">Save</a> <a href="/psalms/124-1.htm">Side</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/4-12.htm">Attacked</a> <a href="/psalms/127-2.htm">Rising</a> <a href="/songs/1-17.htm">Rose</a> <a href="/psalms/138-7.htm">Save</a> <a href="/psalms/139-5.htm">Side</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 124</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/124-1.htm">The church blesses God for a miraculous deliverance</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/124.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/124.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>if the LORD had not been on our side</b><br>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 <a href="/psalms/118-6.htm">Psalm 118:6</a>, "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.<p><b>when men attacked us</b><br>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 <a href="/ephesians/6-12.htm">Ephesians 6:12</a>, where the struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who is portrayed as the protector and deliverer of His people.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The nation of God's chosen people, often facing threats from surrounding nations and internal challenges.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David (implied author)</a></b><br>Traditionally attributed as the author of this Psalm, David often experienced God's deliverance from his enemies.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/e/enemies/attackers.htm">Enemies/Attackers</a></b><br>Represents the various nations and individuals who opposed Israel throughout its history.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/z/zion.htm">Zion (implied context)</a></b><br>The city of Jerusalem, often seen as the spiritual and political center of Israel, frequently under threat.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness_in_deliverance.htm">God's Faithfulness in Deliverance</a></b><br>Reflect on how God has been faithful in delivering His people throughout history. Consider personal testimonies of God's intervention in your life.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_reality_of_spiritual_warfare.htm">The Reality of Spiritual Warfare</a></b><br>Recognize that believers face spiritual attacks, but God is our defender. Equip yourself with the armor of God as described in <a href="/bsb/ephesians/6.htm">Ephesians 6</a>.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_sovereignty.htm">Trust in God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>Trust that God is in control, even when circumstances seem dire. His plans for His people are for good and not for harm.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_and_intercession.htm">Community and Intercession</a></b><br>Encourage prayer and support within the Christian community. Just as Israel relied on God's help, we should intercede for one another.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/gratitude_for_god's_protection.htm">Gratitude for God's Protection</a></b><br>Cultivate a heart of gratitude for the times God has protected and delivered you. Share these accounts to encourage others.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_124.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 124</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/are_psalm_140_conflicts_validated.htm">Is there any archeological or historical data to validate the specific conflicts described in Psalm 140, or are these events unsubstantiated?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_can_we_'bless_the_lord'.htm">How does Psalm 134's call to 'bless the Lord' fit with passages like Genesis 12:2, where only God imparts blessing?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god's_help_seem_inconsistent.htm">Psalm 124:1-2 affirms God's intervention for Israel, yet historical records detail numerous defeats. Why do these interventions appear inconsistent with recorded losses?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_no_extra-biblical_proof_of_psalm_124.htm">Psalm 124:2-3 suggests a miraculous rescue from immediate danger. Why is there little to no extra-biblical documentation of such dramatic interventions?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/124.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(2) <span class= "bld">If it</span> <span class= "bld">had not been.</span>--For this motto of the covenant, see <a href="/psalms/94-17.htm" title="Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul had almost dwelled in silence.">Psalm 94:17</a>.<p><span class= "bld">Men.</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">man. </span>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 (<span class= "ital">Jews </span>and <span class= "ital">heathen</span>)<span class= "ital">, </span>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.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/124.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 2.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us</span>. The "rising" intended may have been that of Saul and his aiders and abettors, or that of the Ammonites and Syrians (<a href="/2_samuel/10-6.htm">2 Samuel 10:6-8</a>), or that of Absalom and his partisans (<a href="/2_samuel/15-2.htm">2 Samuel 15:2-13</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/124-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">if the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְ֭הוָה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">had not</span><br /><span class="heb">לוּלֵ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(lū·lê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3884.htm">Strong's 3884: </a> </span><span class="str2">If not, unless</span><br /><br /><span class="word">been on our side</span><br /><span class="heb">שֶׁהָ֣יָה</span> <span class="translit">(še·hā·yāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative | Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">when men</span><br /><span class="heb">אָדָֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḏām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_120.htm">Strong's 120: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ruddy, a human being</span><br /><br /><span class="word">attacked</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּק֖וּם</span> <span class="translit">(bə·qūm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6965.htm">Strong's 6965: </a> </span><span class="str2">To arise, stand up, stand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">us,</span><br /><span class="heb">עָלֵ֣ינוּ</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·lê·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/124-2.htm">Psalm 124:2 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/124-2.htm">Psalm 124:2 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/124-2.htm">Psalm 124:2 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/124-2.htm">Psalm 124:2 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/124-2.htm">Psalm 124:2 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/124-2.htm">Psalm 124:2 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/124-2.htm">Psalm 124:2 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/124-2.htm">Psalm 124:2 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/124-2.htm">Psalm 124:2 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/124-2.htm">Psalm 124:2 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/124-2.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 124:2 If it had not been Yahweh who (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/124-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 124:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 124:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/124-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 124:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 124:3" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>