Psalm 124

The contempt and ridicule of Psalm 123 has now been mixed with anger (v. 3) and become open hostility. When David began his reign in Jerusalem, the Philistines attacked him twice, and the Lord gave David great deliverance (2 Sam. 5:17-25). This psalm may have been his song of thanksgiving to the Lord. Note the “flood” image in 2 Samuel 5:20 and 124:4-5. However, when Nehemiah and the people were repairing the walls and gates of Jerusalem, the surrounding nations ridiculed them (Neh. 2:19-20; 4:1-5) and then threatened to attack them (Neh. 4:7-23). Nehemiah’s words “Our God will fight for us” (Neh. 4:20 nkjv) remind us of 124:1-2 and 8. We may not have entire nations and armies opposing us, but we do face emergencies that are more than we can handle. That is when we turn to the Lord for help, because He is on our side and helps us with these emergencies.