Message Notes

SSS 4 2 August 2026
Text: Psalm 124

A Song of Ascents. Of David.

1 “If it had not been the Lord who was on our side,”
Let Israel now say—

2 “If it had not been the Lord who was on our side,
When men rose up against us,

3 Then they would have swallowed us alive,
When their wrath was kindled against us;

4 Then the waters would have overwhelmed us,
The stream would have gone over our soul;

5 Then the swollen waters
Would have gone over our soul.”

6 Blessed be the Lord,
Who has not given us as prey to their teeth.

7 Our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers;
The snare is broken, and we have escaped.

8 Our help is in the name of the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.

Psalm 124

1. A Psalm of David

a) This was chosen

b) It was added to the Songs of Ascents

c) David was not a pilgrim for he resided in Jerusalem

d) This Psalm was chosen because of its Contents

2. A Quick Review

a) Each of the Ascent Psalm was a Testimony

b) Each Testimony carried a strong and valid message

i) Psalm 120
Testimony of one who is in distress because he is far away from Jerusalem. The heart of the Pilgrim longs to be in Jerusalem

ii) Psalm 121
Encouragement to look to God for His protection as the Pilgrim Journey begins

iii) Psalm 122
Gladness of the pilgrim’s heart as he reaches his destination, Jerusalem

iv) Psalm 123
Looking up to the Lord as faithful and dedicated servants of God

3. The Lord who was on our side

1 “If it had not been the Lord who was on our side,”
Let Israel now say—

2 “If it had not been the Lord who was on our side,
When men rose up against us,

Psalm 124:1-2

a) A testimony of the Lord’s Help given to Israel

b) This was a testimony

i) Of David personally

ii) Of Israel, nationally

iii) This was a frequent theme in David’s Psalms (Psalms, 3, 4, 5 etc)

c) Israel has many enemies

i) Traditional foes

ii) Formidable enemies

iii) Powerful enemies

d) God’s help appreciated afresh!

4. The threat of being overwhelmed

3 Then they would have swallowed us alive,
When their wrath was kindled against us;

4 Then the waters would have overwhelmed us,
The stream would have gone over our soul;

5 Then the swollen waters
Would have gone over our soul.

Psalm 124:3-5

a) The wrath of the vengeful enemy

b) The danger of being “swallowed alive”

c) The danger of being overwhelmed by a flood of evil forces
1 Chronicles 18-20

5. Blessed be the Lord

6 Blessed be the Lord,
Who has not given us as prey to their teeth.

7 Our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers;
The snare is broken, and we have escaped.

8 Our help is in the name of the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.

Psalm 124:6-8

a) Blessing the name of God

b) Because Israel was a prey

c) Because God enabled Israel to escape from the fowler’s snare

d) Great gratitude to God who sent Help