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 124:3 when their anger flared against us, then they would have swallowed us alive,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/124-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/16/19_Psa_124_003.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 124:3 - Our Help is in the Name of the LORD" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="when their anger flared against us, then they would have swallowed us alive," /><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/124-3.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/124-3.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 3</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="/ad3.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/124-2.htm" title="Psalm 124:2">◄</a> Psalm 124:3 <a href="/psalms/124-4.htm" title="Psalm 124:4">►</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 />they would have swallowed us alive when their anger flared against us;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/124.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />They would have swallowed us alive in their burning anger.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/124.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their anger was kindled against us;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/124.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />when their anger flared against us, then they would have swallowed us alive,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/124.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/124.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then they would have swallowed us alive, When their wrath was kindled against us;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/124.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then they would have swallowed us alive, When their anger was kindled against us;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/124.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then they would have swallowed us alive, When their anger was kindled against us;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/124.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then they would have swallowed us alive, When their anger was kindled against us;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/124.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then they would have swallowed us alive, When their anger was kindled against us;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/124.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then they would have [quickly] swallowed us alive, When their wrath was kindled against us;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/124.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />then they would have swallowed us alive in their burning anger against us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/124.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />then they would have swallowed us alive in their burning anger against us. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/124.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Then they had swallowed us up alive, When their wrath was kindled against us;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/124.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />would have killed us all, because it was furious. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/124.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Then they had swallowed us up alive, when their wrath was kindled against us:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/124.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />then they would have swallowed us alive when their anger exploded against us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/124.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />then they would have swallowed us alive in their furious anger against us; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/124.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />then they would have devoured us alive, when their anger burned against us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/124.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />when their anger flared against us, then they would have swallowed us alive,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/124.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />they would have swallowed us alive, when their anger raged against us. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/124.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their wrath was kindled against us;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/124.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/124.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their wrath was kindled 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 />Then they had swallowed us alive, "" In the burning of their anger against us,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/124.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Then alive they had swallowed us up, In the burning of their anger against us,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/124.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Then they swallowed us down living, in the kindling of their anger 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 />perhaps they had swallowed us up alive. When their fury was enkindled 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 123:3>perhaps they would have swallowed us alive. When their fury was enraged against us,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/124.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Then they would have swallowed us alive, for their fury blazed against us. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/124.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their anger was kindled against us;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/124.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Then would they have swallowed us alive when their wrath was kindled against us,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/124.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />They would have swallowed us alive, and when their rage was provoked upon us,<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/124.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Then they had swallowed us up alive, When their wrath was kindled against us;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/124.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />verily they would have swallowed us up alive, when their wrath was kindled against us:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/124-3.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=16201" 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">2</span>if the LORD had not been on our side when men attacked us, <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/639.htm" title="639: ’ap·pām (N-msc:: 3mp) -- A nostril, nose, face, anger. From 'anaph; properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also ire.">when their anger</a> <a href="/hebrew/2734.htm" title="2734: ba·ḥă·rō·wṯ (Prep-b:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To burn or be kindled with anger. A primitive root; to glow or grow warm; figuratively to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy.">flared</a> <a href="/hebrew/bā·nū (Prep:: 1cp) -- ">against us,</a> <a href="/hebrew/233.htm" title="233: ’ă·zay (Adv) -- Then, in that case. Probably from 'az; at that time.">then</a> <a href="/hebrew/1104.htm" title="1104: bə·lā·‘ū·nū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp:: 1cp) -- To swallow down, swallow up, engulf. A primitive root; to make away with; generally, to destroy.">they would have swallowed us</a> <a href="/hebrew/2416.htm" title="2416: ḥay·yîm (N-mp) -- Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life. From chayah; alive; hence, raw; fresh, strong; also life, whether literally or figuratively.">alive,</a> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>then the floods would have engulfed us, then the torrent would have overwhelmed us,…<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="/exodus/15-9.htm">Exodus 15:9</a></span><br />The enemy declared, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake. I will divide the spoils; I will gorge myself on them. I will draw my sword; my hand will destroy them.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/8-7.htm">Isaiah 8:7-8</a></span><br />the Lord will surely bring against them the mighty floodwaters of the Euphrates—the king of Assyria and all his pomp. It will overflow its channels and overrun its banks. / It will pour into Judah, swirling and sweeping over it, reaching up to the neck; its spreading streams will cover your entire land, O Immanuel!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/51-34.htm">Jeremiah 51:34</a></span><br />“Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has devoured me; he has crushed me. He has set me aside like an empty vessel; he has swallowed me like a monster; he filled his belly with my delicacies and vomited me out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/2-16.htm">Lamentations 2:16</a></span><br />All your enemies open their mouths against you. They hiss and gnash their teeth, saying, “We have swallowed her up. This is the day for which we have waited. We have lived to see it!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/16-9.htm">Job 16:9</a></span><br />His anger has torn me and opposed me; He gnashes His teeth at me. My adversary pierces me with His eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/6-24.htm">Daniel 6:24</a></span><br />At the command of the king, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought and thrown into the den of lions—they and their children and wives. And before they had reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/1-12.htm">Proverbs 1:12</a></span><br />let us swallow them alive like Sheol, and whole like those descending into the Pit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/28-18.htm">Isaiah 28:18</a></span><br />Your covenant with death will be dissolved, and your agreement with Sheol will not stand. When the overwhelming scourge passes through, you will be trampled by it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/8-8.htm">Hosea 8:8</a></span><br />Israel is swallowed up! Now they are among the nations like a worthless vessel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/9-3.htm">Amos 9:3</a></span><br />Though they hide themselves atop Carmel, there I will track them and seize them; and though they hide from Me at the bottom of the sea, there I will command the serpent to bite them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-33.htm">Matthew 23:33</a></span><br />You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape the sentence of hell?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/21-23.htm">Luke 21:23-24</a></span><br />How miserable those days will be for pregnant and nursing mothers! For there will be great distress upon the land and wrath against this people. / They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive into all the nations. And Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/5-8.htm">1 Peter 5:8</a></span><br />Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/12-15.htm">Revelation 12:15-16</a></span><br />Then from his mouth the serpent spewed water like a river to overtake the woman and sweep her away in the torrent. / But the earth helped the woman and opened its mouth to swallow up the river that the dragon had poured from his mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_thessalonians/1-6.htm">2 Thessalonians 1:6-9</a></span><br />After all, it is only right for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, / and to grant relief to you who are oppressed and to us as well. This will take place when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels / in blazing fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us:</p><p class="hdg">then they</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/27-2.htm">Psalm 27:2</a></b></br> When the wicked, <i>even</i> mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/35-25.htm">Psalm 35:25</a></b></br> Let them not say in their hearts, Ah, so would we have it: let them not say, We have swallowed him up.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/56-1.htm">Psalm 56:1,2</a></b></br> To the chief Musician upon Jonathelemrechokim, Michtam of David, when the Philistines took him in Gath. Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me… </p><p class="hdg">swallowed</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/16-30.htm">Numbers 16:30-34</a></b></br> But if the LORD make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that <i>appertain</i> unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the LORD… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/1-12.htm">Proverbs 1:12</a></b></br> Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/51-34.htm">Jeremiah 51:34</a></b></br> Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon hath devoured me, he hath crushed me, he hath made me an empty vessel, he hath swallowed me up like a dragon, he hath filled his belly with my delicates, he hath cast me out.</p><p class="hdg">their wrath</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/76-10.htm">Psalm 76:10</a></b></br> Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/20-30.htm">1 Samuel 20:30-33</a></b></br> Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious <i>woman</i>, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother's nakedness? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/daniel/3-19.htm">Daniel 3:19</a></b></br> Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: <i>therefore</i> he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/55-15.htm">Alive</a> <a href="/psalms/110-5.htm">Anger</a> <a href="/psalms/120-4.htm">Burning</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-30.htm">Flared</a> <a href="/psalms/90-7.htm">Heat</a> <a href="/psalms/106-40.htm">Kindled</a> <a href="/psalms/40-6.htm">Meal</a> <a href="/psalms/119-60.htm">Quick</a> <a href="/psalms/107-27.htm">Swallowed</a> <a href="/psalms/119-53.htm">Wrath</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/1-12.htm">Alive</a> <a href="/psalms/138-7.htm">Anger</a> <a href="/psalms/140-10.htm">Burning</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-30.htm">Flared</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-14.htm">Heat</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-25.htm">Kindled</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-17.htm">Meal</a> <a href="/psalms/143-7.htm">Quick</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-25.htm">Swallowed</a> <a href="/psalms/138-7.htm">Wrath</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>when their anger flared against us,</b><br>This phrase reflects a time of intense hostility and aggression from enemies. In the historical context of ancient Israel, the nation often faced threats from surrounding peoples such as the Philistines, Assyrians, and Babylonians. Anger in the biblical sense often denotes not just emotional rage but a deep-seated opposition that could lead to violence or war. This phrase can be connected to other instances in the Bible where God's people faced the wrath of their enemies, such as in <a href="/exodus/15-9.htm">Exodus 15:9</a>, where the Egyptians pursued the Israelites with anger. Theologically, this can also be seen as a representation of spiritual warfare, where the forces of evil rise against God's people.<p><b>then they would have swallowed us alive,</b><br>The imagery of being "swallowed alive" suggests a sudden and complete destruction, akin to being consumed by a great beast. This metaphor is used elsewhere in Scripture, such as in <a href="/numbers/16-32.htm">Numbers 16:32</a>, where the earth opened and swallowed Korah and his followers. It conveys a sense of overwhelming danger and helplessness without divine intervention. In the cultural context of the ancient Near East, such language would resonate with the fear of being utterly defeated by one's enemies. This phrase also typologically points to Jesus Christ, who faced the ultimate wrath and was "swallowed" by death, yet overcame it through His resurrection, offering believers hope and deliverance from spiritual death.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>- Traditionally attributed as the author of this psalm, David was the second king of Israel and a man after God's own heart. He often faced adversaries and threats, making his reliance on God a central theme in his writings.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>- The nation of Israel is the primary subject of this psalm, representing God's chosen people who have faced numerous threats and adversities throughout history.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/e/enemies_of_israel.htm">Enemies of Israel</a></b><br>- Though not named specifically, the psalm refers to the adversaries who sought to destroy Israel, symbolizing any force or entity that opposes God's people.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/g/god's_deliverance.htm">God's Deliverance</a></b><br>- The overarching event in this psalm is the deliverance of Israel by God, emphasizing His protection and intervention in times of danger.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_exodus.htm">The Exodus</a></b><br>- While not directly mentioned, the imagery of being "swallowed alive" can evoke memories of the Red Sea crossing, where God delivered Israel from the Egyptians.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_protection_in_adversity.htm">God's Protection in Adversity</a></b><br>Just as God protected Israel from being "swallowed alive," He offers protection to His people today. Believers can trust in God's deliverance in times of trouble.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_reality_of_spiritual_warfare.htm">The Reality of Spiritual Warfare</a></b><br>The imagery of being "swallowed" serves as a reminder of the spiritual battles believers face. It is crucial to remain vigilant and rely on God's strength.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_god's_anger.htm">The Power of God's Anger</a></b><br>The verse highlights the "burning anger" of the enemies, contrasting it with God's righteous anger against sin. Understanding this helps believers appreciate God's justice and mercy.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/gratitude_for_deliverance.htm">Gratitude for Deliverance</a></b><br>Reflecting on past deliverances, like those of Israel, encourages believers to cultivate gratitude for God's ongoing protection and intervention in their lives.<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/is_psalm_124_3_metaphorical_or_unverified.htm">Psalm 124:3 describes enemies swallowing Israel alive, but there is no archaeological evidence of such an event. Could this be metaphorical, or is it historically unverified? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_psalm_38_3_link_illness_to_anger.htm">How can Psalm 38:3 link physical sickness directly to divine anger without any natural or scientific explanation?</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><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_god_capable_of_experiencing_anger.htm">Is God capable of experiencing anger?</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>(3) <span class= "bld">Then.</span>--Critics are at issue both as to the form and meaning of the word--whether it is an archaism or an aramaism, expressing <span class= "ital">time </span>or logical sequence.<p><span class= "bld">Swallowed . . . quick </span>(alive).--No doubt an allusion to the fall of Korah (<a href="/context/numbers/16-32.htm" title="And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained to Korah, and all their goods.">Numbers 16:32-33</a>), where the same verb and adjective occur together. (See also <a href="/psalms/55-15.htm" title="Let death seize on them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.">Psalm 55:15</a>.)<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/124.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Then they had swallowed us up quick</span>; or, "alive." A common expression for sudden and complete destruction (comp. <a href="/psalms/56-2.htm">Psalm 56:2</a>; <a href="/psalms/57-3.htm">Psalm 57:3</a>; <a href="/proverbs/1-12.htm">Proverbs 1:12</a>; <a href="/lamentations/2-2.htm">Lamentations 2:2, 5, 8</a>, etc.). <span class="cmt_word">When their wrath was kindled against us</span>; or, "blazed out against us." The comparison of anger to fire is an almost universal commonplace. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/124-3.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">when their anger</span><br /><span class="heb">אַפָּ֣ם</span> <span class="translit">(’ap·pām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_639.htm">Strong's 639: </a> </span><span class="str2">The nose, nostril, the face, a person, ire</span><br /><br /><span class="word">flared</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּחֲר֖וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(ba·ḥă·rō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2734.htm">Strong's 2734: </a> </span><span class="str2">To glow, grow warm, to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy</span><br /><br /><span class="word">against us,</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּֽנוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(bā·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">then</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲ֭זַי</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·zay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_233.htm">Strong's 233: </a> </span><span class="str2">Then, in that case</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they would have swallowed</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּלָע֑וּנוּ</span> <span class="translit">(bə·lā·‘ū·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1104.htm">Strong's 1104: </a> </span><span class="str2">To swallow down, swallow up, engulf</span><br /><br /><span class="word">us alive,</span><br /><span class="heb">חַיִּ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(ḥay·yîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2416.htm">Strong's 2416: </a> </span><span class="str2">Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/124-3.htm">Psalm 124:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/124-3.htm">Psalm 124:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/124-3.htm">Psalm 124:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/124-3.htm">Psalm 124:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/124-3.htm">Psalm 124:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/124-3.htm">Psalm 124:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/124-3.htm">Psalm 124:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/124-3.htm">Psalm 124:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/124-3.htm">Psalm 124:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/124-3.htm">Psalm 124:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/124-3.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 124:3 Then they would have swallowed us up (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/124-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 124:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 124:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/124-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 124:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 124:4" /></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>