Psalms 124:1

Authorized King James Version

If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, now may Israel say;

Word-by-Word Analysis

לוּלֵ֣י

H3884

if not

יְ֭הוָה

H3068

it had not been the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

שֶׁהָ֣יָה

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לָ֑נוּ

יֹֽאמַר

H559

say

to say (used with great latitude)

נָ֝א

H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

H3478

who was on our side now may Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

Analysis

The worship and praise theme here intersects with the broader canonical witness to God's character and purposes. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation that finds its culmination in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's consistent character and purposes.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the Israelite monarchy with its court politics and military conflicts. The author writes to address worshipers in the temple and those seeking God in times of distress, making the emphasis on worship and praise particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about worship and praise?
How does the worship and praise theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
How does this verse's literary context within Psalms chapter 124 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?