A song of ascents. Of David.

¹ If the Lord had not been on our side—
    let Israel say—
² if the Lord had not been on our side
    when people attacked us,
³ they would have swallowed us alive
    when their anger flared against us;
⁴ the flood would have engulfed us,
    the torrent would have swept over us,
⁵ the raging waters
    would have swept us away.

⁶ Praise be to the Lord,
    who has not let us be torn by their teeth.
⁷ We have escaped like a bird
    from the fowler’s snare;
the snare has been broken,
    and we have escaped.
⁸ Our help is in the name of the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.

Prayer

God, if you hadn’t been for us when everyone went against us, we would have been swallowed alive by their violent anger, swept away by the flood of rage, drowned in the torrent. We would have lost our lives in the wild, raging water. We bless You, O Lord! You didn’t leave us. You didn’t abandon us and leave us as defenseless as rabbits among snarling dogs. We’ve flown free from their fangs, free of their traps, free as birds in flight. Your strong Name is our help. You are the same God who made heaven and earth. Amen. 

A Psalm of Thanksgiving

In the Book of Psalms, there are individual and corporate Psalms of Thanksgiving. 

Individual Psalms of Thanksgiving: express personal gratitude to God for His deliverance, provision, or______________.

1. Psalm 18 – David’s thanksgiving for deliverance from his enemies.
2. Psalm 30 – Thanksgiving for recovery from illness or danger.
3. Psalm 34 – A personal testimony of deliverance and gratitude.
4. Psalm 40:1–10 – Praise for God’s help in a time of need.
5. Psalm 92 – Thanksgiving and praise for God’s works.
6. Psalm 103 – A psalm of personal praise for God’s mercy and compassion.
7. Psalm 116 – Thanksgiving for deliverance from death and God’s care.

Corporate Psalms of Thanksgiving: Reflect the collective gratitude of the people of Israel for God’s goodness and faithfulness.

1. Psalm 65 – Thanksgiving for God’s provision in nature and blessings on the earth.
2. Psalm 67 – A corporate call for God’s blessings and praise among nations.
3. Psalm 95 – A for thanksgiving for God’s greatness as Creator and Shepherd.
4. Psalm 100 – A communal psalm of praise and thanksgiving.
5. Psalm 107 – Recounting God’s deliverance of various groups of people in trouble.
6. Psalm 136 – Repeated thanksgiving for God’s steadfast love and mighty acts.

In answer to Psalm 123, God helps those who fix their eyes upon Him and cry out for His mercy.  Psalm 124 is a response of thanks and praise for His mercy.

Questions:

• What type of Psalm of Thanksgiving is Psalm 124? Individual or corporate?

• How can you tell?

• What does Psalm 124 have to say about the phrase, “The Lord helps those who help themselves”?

How to Give Thanks in the Psalms (Declare, Praise, Apply) 

1. Declare what God Has Done (124:1-5)

Notice the “if/then” pattern throughout the psalm. David wants the people to know how desperate they are for the LORD’s deliverance

“If the LORD had not been on our side—let Israel say—² if the LORD had not been on our side.”   Then when they attacked 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

The victory was not a result of the people’s strength or strategy but was entirely due to the LORD’s salvation. They were incapable of saving themselves.

2. Praise God for What He Has Done (124:6-7)

“Praise be to the LORD, who has not let us be torn by their teeth. ⁷ We have escaped like a bird from the fowler’s snare; the snare has been broken, and we have escaped.”

Praise = barak – to offer praise, adoration, and thanksgiving to God. The term barak (בָּרַךְ) literally means “to knell” or “to bless” and often conveys the idea of acknowledging God’s greatness, humbling oneself in worship, and speaking words of reverence and gratitude

David said to praise the LORD because:  

• The LORD has not let us be torn by their teeth
• They have escaped like a bird in a fowler’s snare.

Can you recall specific instances when the LORD delivered you from dangers or trouble.   Give Thanks!

 3. Apply What God Has Done (124:8)

⁸ Our help is in the name of the LORD, The Maker of heaven and earth.

“We sense a bit of defiance in this declaration. The nations find their supposed help in their supposed deities; God’s people confidently find their help in the name of the LORD.” 

 ~ David Guzik 

Where does the world say help comes from?

Math in the Psalms

If + Then + But  = Therefore