Psalms

Psalms 124: Our help is the Maker's name

Begin in prayer

Before Israel remembers the danger from which God rescued them, let us consider the help we have received and forgotten. Ask the Lord to bring us to Jesus and give Him the thanks our own strength cannot claim.

He delivers and rescues, and he works signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.

Daniel 6:27

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word, and help us to see Christ. Show us that the Lord who made heaven and earth rescued His people when enemies would have overwhelmed them. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

David calls Israel to say what would have happened if the Lord had not been on their side. When enemies rose in anger, they would have swallowed the people alive. Like a torrent, proud waters would have overwhelmed their souls. Israel blesses the Lord because He did not give them as prey to their enemies' teeth. Their soul escaped like a bird from a broken snare, and their help rests in the name of heaven and earth's Maker.

As you read Psalms 124, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD who made heaven and earth rescued His people when their enemies would have overwhelmed them.

Israel is called to tell its rescue together, beginning with the disaster God's help prevented. The repeated condition gives the Lord's presence decisive weight in the people's survival. Angry enemies are pictured first as a consuming creature and then as waters too strong for the people to withstand. These images explain how helpless they would have been without the Lord on their side. Blessing answers His refusal to hand them over to their enemies' teeth. The bird escaping a broken trap gives their rescue another picture, with the snare destroyed and the captive free. Their final confession places help in the Lord's name, the God they know through His saving action. Naming Him as Maker of heaven and earth gives their remembered rescue a sure foundation for continued trust.

How does Psalm 124 show us that the LORD who made heaven and earth rescued His people when their enemies would have overwhelmed them?

The LORD's help preserved Israel when enemy power exceeded their strength.

David asks Israel to consider what would have happened without the Lord. The hostile anger was more than the people could withstand. Their survival gives them reason to confess His help together.

The LORD broke the danger that held His people captive.

Israel blesses God for refusing to give them over to their enemies. A bird escaping a broken snare pictures the rescue. The freedom of the people rests on the trap being broken, giving them cause for thanks.

The Maker of heaven and earth remains His people's help.

The final confession names the Lord as their help. His name belongs to the One who made heaven and earth. Remembering rescue leads the people to depend on Him as they face what comes next.

Memorise

Our help is in Yahweh’s name, who made heaven and earth.

Psalm 124:8

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, where am I taking credit for help that the Lord Jesus has given?

Israel confesses, “The snare is broken, and we have escaped.” Without the Lord's help, enemy anger would have overwhelmed them. Their rescue ends in the name of the Maker of heaven and earth.

Our sin against Him brings a guilt from which we cannot free ourselves. Jesus paid His people's debt with His own life at the cross, delivering them from condemnation no human strength could break. He rose again. His saving work is finished, providing everything needed for their forgiveness and life with God.

Turn from proud self confidence and trust Jesus. Everyone who seeks mercy through Him will find forgiveness. Thank Him for the help you have treated as your own achievement. The Maker hears His redeemed people in dangers beyond their strength, giving believers mercies to tell together and help to seek again.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the Lord who made heaven and earth rescued His people when enemies would have overwhelmed them. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Bless God for His rescuing help and ask for humble, thankful dependence on Him. Bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Don’t work for the food which perishes, but for the food which remains to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For God the Father has sealed him.”

John 6:27

Mighty Lord, thank You for the rescues Your people could never have achieved by their own strength. Please forgive our proud forgetfulness and lead us to Jesus for release from guilt. Protect those facing overwhelming hostility, help our children learn thankful dependence and give Your church faithful words to remember Your mercy together. Amen.