Lectionary Calendar
Thursday, November 21st, 2024
the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
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Bible Commentaries
Smith's Bible Commentary Smith's Commentary
Copyright Statement
Copyright © 2014, Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa, Ca.
Copyright © 2014, Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa, Ca.
Bibliographical Information
Smith, Charles Ward. "Commentary on Psalms 124". "Smith's Bible Commentary". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/csc/psalms-124.html. 2014.
Smith, Charles Ward. "Commentary on Psalms 124". "Smith's Bible Commentary". https://www.studylight.org/
Whole Bible (40)Old Testament (1)Individual Books (5)
Verses 1-8
Psalms 124:1-8 :
If it had not been the LORD who was on our side ( Psalms 124:1 ),
And, of course, I think we could all write our own psalm from this point on. If God hadn't been with me, let me tell you, you know. "If it had not been that the LORD was on our side,"
now may Israel say; If it had not been that the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us: then they would have swallowed us up quickly, when their wrath was kindled against us: then the waters had overwhelmed us, and the stream had gone over our soul: and the proud waters would have gone over our soul ( Psalms 124:1-5 ).
Oh, if it hadn't been for God's help. If it hadn't been for God's strength. If it hadn't been for God's sustaining power, how many times we would have gone under. We'd have never made it this far if it had not been.
Paul the apostle said, "Who hath delivered us from so great a death, who doth now deliver us, and I am confident He shall yet deliver us" ( 1 Corinthians 1:10 ). You see, the past help of God is a prophecy of the future. The fact that God has helped me, the fact that God is helping me is my assurance that He's going to help me. And if it had not been that God was helping me, I wouldn't be here now.
And so he breaks forth into the blessing.
Blessed be the LORD, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth. Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, we are escaped. Our help is in the name of Yahweh, who made heaven and eaRuth ( Psalms 124:6-8 ).
And again, the idea, God has made the heaven and the earth. The name of Yahweh, the name of our God, Yahweh, the maker of heaven and earth. And our help is in the name of the Lord. There's tremendous power in the name of Jesus.
Peter was walking into the temple, the hour of prayer. And there was a man who was lame and begging. And you go to Israel today and you find out that severely handicapped people: blind, lame, and all, the lepers; they still are around the gates begging. A lot of beggars. And here was a man born lame, begging. And Peter said, "Hey fellow, look over here." And he turned, held out his hand expecting to receive something. Peter said, "I don't have any silver and gold, but I'll be glad to share what I do have. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk" ( Acts 3:6 ). Power in the name of Jesus. And the man stood, he walked, he leaped. He ran through the temple, walking, leaping, praising God, because of the power of the name of Jesus.
There is a proverb that says, "The name of Yahweh is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe" ( Proverbs 18:10 ). How many times I have retreated into the safety of the name of Jesus. When threatened, when in danger, just the breathing out, "Oh Jesus." In the name of Jesus. Jesus said, "Henceforth you've asked nothing in My name. Ask, that you might receive, that your joy might be full" ( John 16:24 ). "You shall ask anything in My name, I will do it, that the Father might be glorified in the Son" ( John 14:13 ). The power of the name of Jesus, maker of heaven and earth.
Jesus, of course, you know, is Yahweh Shua or Yashua. It is that name of God compounded with the Hebrew word salvation. And thus you get, Jehovah or Yahweh is salvation. "