Psalm 124
The full text of Psalm 124 in the Trinity Bible Version — clear modern English, translated from the original Hebrew. Free to read.
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 people rose up against us,
3 then they would have swallowed us up alive,
when their anger was kindled against us;
4 then the flood would have swept us away,
the torrent would have gone over us;
5 then over us would have gone
the raging waters.
6 Blessed be the LORD,
who has not given us
as prey to their teeth!
7 We have escaped like 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.
Translation notes (2)
- Psalm 124:4a The Hebrew nachal, 'torrent', denotes a wadi, a dry ravine that fills with sudden, violent water after rain. Overwhelming waters serve throughout the Psalter as an image of engulfing peril (compare Psalm 18:16; 69:1-2), drawing on the ancient Near Eastern portrayal of chaotic waters that only God can restrain.
- Psalm 124:7a The pach (פַּח), 'snare', was a spring trap of hinged frames covered with netting that snapped shut on birds lured by bait, a device depicted in Egyptian tomb paintings. The yoqesh, 'fowler', trapped small birds for food and market, so the image is of a creature saved only because the trap itself gave way, not by its own strength.
About this translation
You are reading the Trinity Bible Version (TBV) — an original 2026 translation made straight from the Hebrew, in clear modern English, exclusive to Trinity Bible. Every chapter of every book is free to read online. For the study edition — with Hebrew and Greek on every verse and the full translation notes — open Psalms in the Trinity Bible app.
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