Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

PSALM 124

THE ARGUMENT

This Psalm was composed by David in the name, and for the use of all the church and people of Israel, as a thanksgiving for their deliverance from some eminent danger or dangers from proud and potent enemies. Many such they had in David’s time; but which of them is here intended is hard to determine, and not worth the inquiry.

The church setteth forth God’s mercy for a miraculous deliverance, out of the apparent danger of powerful enemies, Psalms 124:1-5, and blesseth him for it Psalms 124:6-8.

They had swallowed us up quick; they had speedily and utterly destroyed us, as Korah, &c. were, Numbers 16:0.

Our enemies, compared to

proud waters, for their great multitude, and swelling rage, and mighty force.

A metaphor from wild beasts, which tear and devour their prey with their teeth.