Psalm 124 – If
If – a small but powerful word. It speaks of potential – if this had happened, or if this had not happened. What more might we learn about this word from Psalm 124 – If?
Psalm 124
Psalm 124 is another song of ascents for pilgrims, this one attributed to David. Using poetic imagery, it tells of a glorious victory that God gave them. If not for God, they would have been destroyed.
“If the Lord had not been on our side—let Israel say—
if the Lord had not been on our side when people attacked us,
they would have swallowed us alive when their anger flared against us;
the flood would have engulfed us, the torrent would have swept over us, the raging waters would have swept us away“.” (1-5)
The psalm ends in praise to God who saved them.
“Praise be to the Lord, who has not let us be torn by their teeth.
We have escaped like a bird from the fowler’s snare;
the snare has been broken, and we have escaped.
Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (6-8)
If
It is easy to look back on your life with regret and wonder “what if” or “if only.” If only I had accepted that job opportunity even though it meant leaving my home town. If only I hadn’t quit college before finishing my degree. Or what if I hadn’t married my first spouse, the marriage that ended in divorce. We sigh as we think about this. Usually this is not helpful. Best to learn from past mistakes and then move forward, leaving the past in the past.
But there is another use of if, one that reflects back in wonder at what has happened. David looks at the events of the past and recognizes God’s hand in all that had happened. This is not a triumphal message, claiming that God was on their side in battle, but a recognition that God has been with them.
“The phrase ‘had been on our side’ (hayah lanu) is the past tense of Immanuel (‘God is with us’). Thus the community confesses that God has been with them in their past history.” (VanGemeren) (https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-124/)
In some ways it is an if that is not an if, for it is not a question of whether God was with them or not with them for God is always with us. Rather it is a recognition of God’s saving presence. We don’t live in the past, but it is helpful to stop and look back on our life and acknowledge God’s presence.
Psalm 124 – If
If not for God, where would I be? Without God my life would have been different. Looking back on my life I can see God’s presence, with me during challenging times, keeping me safe. I know I would have been less happy, if not for God. Psalm 123 – if, reminds me of this.
Where would you be if not for God?
(For another take on this psalm, see https://patriciamrobertson.com/psalm-124-if-not-for-god/)
This post is part of a series of blog posts on the Psalms. Sign up to follow this blog and receive a free copy of Still Dancing, the second book in my Dancing through Life Series. click here to sign up
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