Escape from a Deadly Peril. Psalm 124:1-8

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Frederick Davis
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1 1 Escape from a Deadly Peril Psalm 124:1-8

2 2 Escape from a Deadly Peril Commentary by Clyde M. Miller Text: Psalm 124:1-8, If the LORD had not been on our side let Israel say if the LORD had not been on our side when men attacked us, when their anger flared against us, they would have swallowed us alive; the flood would have engulfed us, the torrent would have swept over us, the raging waters would have swept us away. Praise be to the LORD, who has not let us be torn by their teeth. We have escaped like a bird out of 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. NIV Introduction: I. For the meaning of the title, see the notes on Psalm 120. II. Those who insist on a Davidic composition compare the setting to David's battles against the Philistines (2 Samuel 5) or against the Ammonites (2 Samuel 10).

3 3 A. 2 Samuel 5:1-15, All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, We are your own flesh and blood. In the past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. And the LORD said to you, You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler. When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, the king made a compact with them at Hebron before the LORD, and they anointed David king over Israel. David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years. In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem, he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirtythree years. The king and his men marched to Jerusalem to attack the Jebusites, who lived there. The Jebusites said to David, You will not get in here; even the blind and the lame can ward you off. They thought, David cannot get in here. Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion, the City of David. On that day, David said, anyone who conquers the Jebusites will have to use the water shaft to reach those lame and blind who are David s enemies. That is why they say, The blind and lame will not enter the palace. David then took up residence in the fortress and called it the City of David. He built up the area around it, from the supporting terraces inward. And he became more and more powerful, because the LORD God Almighty was with him. Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar logs and carpenters and stonemasons, and they built a palace for David. And David knew that the LORD had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel. After he left

4 4 Hebron, David took more concubines and wives in Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him. These are the names of the children born to him there: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Eliada and Eliphelet. When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they went up in full force to search for him, but David heard about it and went down to the stronghold. Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim; so David inquired of the LORD, Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me? The LORD answered him, Go, for I will surely hand the Philistines over to you. So David went to Ball Perazim, and there he defeated them. He said, As waters break out, the LORD has broken out against my enemies before me. So that place was called Ball Perazim. The Philistines abandoned their idols there, and David and his men carried them off. Once more the Philistines came up and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim; so David inquired of the LORD, and he answered. Do not go straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the balsam trees. As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move quickly, because that will mean the LORD has gone out in front of you to stike the Philistine army. So David did as the LORD commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer. NIV B. 2 Samuel 10:1-19, In the course of time, the king of the Ammonites died, and his son Hanun succeeded him as king. David thought, I will show kindness to Ha-

5 5 nun son of Nahash, just as his father showed kindness to me. So David sent a delegation to express his sympathy to Hanun concerning his father. When David s men came to the land of the Ammonites, the Ammonite nobles said to Hanun their lord, Do you think David is honoring your father by sending men to you to express sympathy? Hasn t David sent them to you to explore the city and spy it out and overthrow it? So Hanun seized David s men, shaved off half of each man s beard, cut off their garments in the middle of the buttocks, and sent them away. When David was told about this, he sent messengers to meet the men, for they were greatly humiliated. The king said, Stay at Jericho till your beards have grown, and then come back. When the Ammonites realized that they had become a stench in David s nostrils, they hired twenty thousand Aramean foot soldiers from Beth Rehob and Zobah, as well as the king of Maacah with a thousand men, and also twelve thousand men from Tob. On hearing this, David sent Joab out with the entire army of fighting men. The Ammonites came out and drew up in battle formation at the entrance to their city gate, while the Arameans of Zobah and Rehob and the men of Tob and Maacah were by themselves in the open country. Joab saw that there were battle lines in front of him and behind him; so he selected some of the best troops in Israel and deployed them against the Arameans. He put the rest of the men under the command of Abishai his brother and deployed them against the Ammonites. Joab said, If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you are to come to my rescue; but if the ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come to rescue you. Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and the

6 6 cities of our God. The LORD will do what is good in his sight. Then Joab and the troops with him advanced to fight the Arameans, and they fled before him. When the Ammonites saw that the Arameans were fleeing, they fled before Abishai and went inside the city. So Joab returned from fighting the Ammonites and came to Jerusalem. After the Arameans saw that they had been routed by Israel, they regrouped. Hadadezer had Arameans brought from beyond the River; they went to Helam, with Shobach the commander of Hadadezer s army leading them. When David was told of this, he gathered all Israel, crossed the Jordan and went to Helam. The Arameans formed their battle lines to meet David and fought against him. But they fled before Israel, and David killed seven hundred of their charioteers and forty thousand of their foot soldiers. He also struck down Shobach the commander of their army, and he died there. When all the kings who were vassals of Hadadezer saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they made peace with the Israelites and became subject to them. So the Arameans were afraid to help the Ammon ites anymore. NIV III. Some Greek manuscripts and the Latin Vulgate omit the phrase of David in the title. A. Those who date the psalm in post-exilic days relate it to the era of reconstruction under Ezra and Nehemiah, or think of Israel's escape from her pagan captors. B. Since Israel was delivered from many perils throughout her colorful history, it is impossible to date the psalm by a particular crisis recently faced.

7 7 C. The presence of Aramaisms does not indicate a late date for the psalm, for Aramaic influenced Biblical Hebrew from very early times. IV. This is a beautiful psalm of national thanksgiving celebrating God's deliverance of the nation from a deadly peril which might have engulfed them had not God come to their aid. V. The psalm is divided into two stanzas. A. The first describes negatively what the outcome would have been if God had not been their helper (verses 1-5). 1. Psalm 124:1-5. If the LORD had not been on our side let Israel say if the LORD had not been on our side when men attacked us, when their anger flared against us, they would have swallowed us alive; the flood would have engulfed us, the torrent would have swept over us, the raging waters would have swept us away. NIV B. The second states positively the magnificent deliverance that came in conjunction with God s help (verses 6-8). 2. Psalm 124:6-8, Praise be to the LORD, who has not let us be torn by their teeth. We have escaped like a bird out of 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. NIV

8 8 A Description of the Danger Psalm 124:1-5, If the LORD had not been on our side let Israel say if the LORD had not been on our side when men attacked us, when their anger flared against us, they would have swallowed us alive; the flood would have engulfed us, the torrent would have swept over us, the raging waters would have swept us away. NIV Ps. 124:1-2, If the LORD had not been on our side let Israel say if the LORD had not been on our side when men attacked us, NIV I. Verses 1-2, by means of stair-like parallelism, provide the protasis to the stanza, and verses 3-5 the apodosis. A. Psalm 124:1-2, If the LORD had not been on our side let Israel say if the LORD had not been on our side when men attacked us, NIV B. Psalm 124:3-5, When their anger flared against us, they would have swallowed us alive; the flood would have engulfed us, the torrent would have swept over us, the raging waters would have swept us away. NIV II. In Hebrew, the sharp contrast between the phrase, on our side (1a, 2a) and, against us, (3a) is more pronounced than in English. A. For us" and against us might better show the contrast.

9 9 B. There is an implied contrast between the help of the Lord and the impotence of idols worshiped by Israel's pagan neighbors. Psalm 124:3-5, when their anger flared against us, they would have swallowed us alive; the flood would have engulfed us, the torrent would have swept over us, the raging waters would have swept us away. NIV I. Vivid figures describe the danger that had confronted Israel. A. A monster who could swallow men alive and a sweeping flood or torrent symbolize swift, consuming dangers. 1. Verses 4-5 form a triplet. a. Stress is given to the fact that it is over us (4b) that the flood (4a), the torrent (4b) and the raging waters would have gone. i. Psalm 124:4, the flood would have engulfed us, the torrent would have swept over us. NIV Escape from Peril Psalm 124:6-8, Praise be to the LORD, who has not let us be torn by their teeth. We have escaped like a bird out of 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. NIV I. Praise be is better rendered blessed be, (ASV, ESV, KJV, NASB, NASB95, NKJV, RSV, NRSV).

10 10 A. The phrase is a Hebrew passive form frequently used in the psalms to indicate divine blessings bestowed upon men (Psalm 1:1) or thanksgiving rendered to God for blessings granted to His people (a similar form in Psalm 103:1-5). 1. Psalm 1:1, Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. NIV 2. Psalm 103:1-5, Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases; he redeems my life from the pit and crowns me with love and compassion. He satisfies my desires with good things, so that my youth is renewed like the eagle s. NIV II. What is stated negatively in verse 6 is declared positively in verse 7. A. The two similes used in verses 6 and 7 describe the slow, painful capture by a beast of prey or a bird confined by a fowler. B. The phrase, our help, (verse 8) climaxes the thought of verses 6-7. C. God, the Maker of heaven and earth, is fully capable of delivering His people from imminent danger. 1. For the idea of God as Israel s help, see the notes on Psalm 121:2.

11 11 a. Psalm 121:2, My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. NIV III. The name of the LORD frequently stands for his renown and character discerned through His saving acts on behalf of Israel, which gave Israel confidence in the saving power of God (1 Samuel 17:45; Psalm 118:10-12 and Proverbs 18:10). A. 1 Samuel 17:45, David said to the Philistine, You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. NIV B. Psalm 118:10-12, All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the LORD I cut them off. They surrounded me on every side, but in the name of the LORD I cut them off. They swarmed around me like bees, but they died out as quickly as burning thorns; in the name of the LORD I cut them off. NIV C. Proverbs 18:10, The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. NIV IV. The eternal, unchangeable nature of God is often connoted by the name Yahweh (Isaiah 40:28-31; 41:4; 43:10-11 and 44:6-8). A. Isaiah 40:28-31, Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the poser of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stum-

12 12 ble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. NIV B. Isaiah 41:4, Who has done this and carried it through, calling forth the generations from the beginning? I, the LORD with the first of them and with the last I am he. NIV C. Isaiah 43:10-11, You are my witnesses, declares the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior. NIV D. Isaiah 44:6-8, This is what the LORD says Israel s King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God. Who then is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and lay out before me what has happened since I established my ancient people, and what is yet to come yes, let him foretell what will come. Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one. NIV E. For the expression, who made heaven and earth, suggesting one in whom Israel can have complete confidence, see the notes on Psalm 121:2.

13 13 Application: 1. Psalm 121:2, My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. NIV I. God is a present help in time of trouble. A. Psalm 46:1, God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. KJV B. Though storms rage about us, we can endure if God wills it so. 1. Our duty is to trust God who sees beyond time into eternity. a. It is difficult in time of trouble and despair to see the outcome of earthly trials, but they can strengthen us for greater usefulness in the Master s service. C. The Lord will be mindful of us if we persevere and do not faint (2 Corinthians 4:1, 16 and Galatians 6:9) Corinthians 4:1, 16, Therefore, since through God s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. NIV 2. Galatians 6:9, Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. NIV

14 14 Questions Psalm 124:1-8 (Questions based on NIV text.) 1. If the had not been on our let if the had not been on our when us, when their us, they would have us ; the would have over us, the would have us. 2. be to the, who has not let us be by their. We have like a out of the s ; the has been, and we have. Our is in the of the, the of and. 3. What is the meaning of the title to Psalm 124?

15 Who wrote Psalm 124? What was the setting of the psalm? Give evidence to support your answer. 5. Define Aramaisms. 6. How can Psalm 124 be classified? 7. How can Psalm 124 be divided? What is the purpose of each division? 8. Define protasis and apodosis. How do these terms relate to Psalm 124?

16 What applications can be made of (on our side) for us and (not on our side) against us as used in verses 1 and 2? 10. What figures describe the dangers that had confronted Israel? 11. What is stated negatively in verse 6 and positively in verse 7? 12., the of and, is of his from. 13. What does the name of the Lord mean in the Scriptures cited in this lesson?

17 What is often connoted by the name Yahweh? 15. Give personal examples of God s having been a present help in time of trouble in your life.

II Samuel 5:6-25. Lesson #6, The City of David

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