Commentary on Psalm 124 125 and 129, Psalm 124
THE COMMENTARY OF Dr. MARTIN LƲTHER, Upon the CXXIV PSALM.
Verſ. 1. If the Lord had not been on our ſide, &c.
THis Pſalm is a Thankſgiving to God for his great mercy in preſerving his People, placed (as the ſtories do ſhew) in the midſt of the Gentiles and Heathen People,The Argument of the Pſalm. as a flock of Sheep in a wild Forreſt, or in reſpect of the multitude, as a City compared to a mighty Kingdom,The People of Iſrael as a flock of Sheep among many Wolves. being compaſſed on every ſide with the Kings of the Aſſyrians, the Egyptians, the Ammonites, the Iſmaelites, the Moabites; whom Satan had ſtirred up with deadly hatred, to vex and perſecute them, ſeeking by all means to root them out from the Earth, that thereby he might utterly deface and aboliſh the Word and Worſhip of the Lord. This danger David ſaw, and thanked God which had preſerved his People from the rage of ſo many Lyons and Dragons, which notwithſtanding that they never ceaſed to ſeek their Deſtruction, yet all that they went about was in vain. And what a miracle was this, that this People could ſo long continue, notwithſtanding the malice and rage of ſo many Devils? David therefore in this Pſalm exhorteth his People to be thankful to the Lord their God ſo mightily preſerving, defending and delivering them from the violence of ſo many Nations and Kingdoms, hating and perſecuting them on every ſide.
Which Pſalm we alſo do ſing, not only againſt our adverſaries which hate and perſecute the Word, but alſo againſt ſpiritual Wickedneſs. For we are taught by the Goſpel that there are now ſeven Devils which lye in wait for us, (whereas we were before in danger but of one) which ceaſe not to ſtir up the whole World againſt us. Yea our Caſe were more tollerable if we had but only the World, and not Satan alſo with all his Angels and the gates of Hell, wholly bent againſt us. But yet further to moleſt and vex us; beſides all theſe, we have alſo the third Enemy, which we carry always about with us, which we nouriſh alſo and foſter at home with us, and even within us, the fleſh I mean, which giveth us no reſt, but continually tempteth us to Sin, fighteth againſt Faith, and ſtriveth in our members againſt the Spirit.
Foraſmuch then as the Church of God is never free from theſe dangers, let us alſo ſing to the praiſe of Chriſt this Pſalm: that he preſerveth us his members from all theſe Enemies. For it were extream ingratitude not to acknowledge this miracle, that notwithſtanding all theſe, the Church doth yet continue, and that there be ſome which truly teach and confeſs Chriſt, and believe in Chriſt, thô Satan rage, the World and falſe Brethren conſpire againſt us, and the fleſh (as an untamed Beaſt) fight againſt the Word and Faith never ſo much. This is the benefit then that David ſo highly extolleth, and wiſheth that his People would underſtand and give thanks to God for the ſame.
Verſe 1.
If the Lord had not been on our ſide, may Iſrael now ſay:
Verſe 2.
If the Lord had not been been on our ſide, when men roſe up againſt us,
Verſe 3.
They had then ſwallowed us up quick when their wrath was kindled againſt us.
Here the Prophet David exhorteth the People to conſider how mercifully God hath delivered them from the hands of their Enemies, and how miraculouſly he had preſerved that Kingdom, and alſo to praiſe God with him for the ſame. Which words are not to be reſtrained to Davids time only. For the Heathen People had oftentimes before warred againſt them with ſuch Force and Power as was like to the rage of moſt huge and terrible floods of Water (whereof he ſpeaketh here) ready to overflow them. Therefore ſeeing he mentioneth here no one kind of deliverance, it ſeemeth that he meaneth in theſe words of Thanksgiving to ſet forth whatſoever God had done for the ſuccour and deliverance of his People at any time before. Wherein he ſheweth (as it were in a glaſs) the dangerous ſtate of the Church from the beginning, that the faithful may learn to know that it hath not been preſerved by the ſtrength and policy of man, but by the miraculous power and hand of God, and therefore in their troubles and afflictions ſhould always flie to God for help and ſuccour.
Iſrael ſignifieth the People of God. Let us acknowledge then that there is no way for Gods People to eſcape the hands of their Enemies, but by the help and power of God, and that he will have the glory and praiſe thereof to be given to him alone. This praiſe can none give unto God, but the true Iſrael, having experience both of their own weakneſs, the force and power of their Enemies, the dangers paſt, and of the merciful help and Protection of the Lord.
Verſe 2. If the Lord had not been on our ſide, when men roſe up againſt us.
This repetition is not in vain. For whilſt we are in danger, our fear is without meaſure: but when it is once paſt, we imagine it to have been leſs then it was indeed. And this is the deluſion of Satan, to diminiſh and obſcure the Grace of God. David therefore with this repetition ſtirreth up the People to greater thankfulneſs unto God for his gracious Deliverance and amplifieth the dangers which they had paſſed. Whereby we are taught how to think of our troubles and afflictions paſt, leaſt the ſence and feeling of Gods Grace vaniſh out of our minds. And here note, how God dealeth with his People in their diſtreſs, who ſuffereth their Enemies ſo far to prevail over them, and deferreth his help ſo long, till it ſeem impoſſible for them to eſcape: ſo that they are compelled to confeſs and acknowledge, that they muſt needs have periſhed if the mighty hand of God had not delivered them. Theſe two things then we ſee the Iſraelites here to acknowledge: firſt, That the Lord was on their ſide, that is, ſuccoured and delivered them; then alſo that it had not been poſſible but they muſt utterly have periſhed, if God had not preſerved and defended them.
By men is here underſtood whatſoever is great and mighty in the world; as if he ſaid: We are counted as abjects and out caſts of the world. The Princes, the Rulers, the Wiſe, the Rich of the world riſe up againſt us, to deſtroy us and to root us out from the face of the earth. If ye behold with how great and how many Kingdoms we are compaſſed about, which bear a deadly hatred againſt us, we may ſeem like to a ſilly Sheep compaſſed about with a multitude of cruel Wolves, every moment ready to devour it. That we live in ſafety therefore, and that our Enemies prevail not againſt us, acknowledge it to be the great mercy of God, O Iſrael, which ſo miraculouſly preſerveth and defendeth ſo ſmall a flock.
In like manner we are compelled to ſay and confeſs at this day, that if God did not miraculouſly defend and preſerve his Church, the Power of Satan is ſo great, that one of his Angels is able in one moment to deſtroy us all, that either teach or profeſs Chriſt, and to fill the World with bloodſhed and ſlaughter. We ſee the Princes, the Pope, the Prelates, the mighty and wealthy of the World, yea the whole world in a manner bent to deſtroy us. Againſt whom what have we to defend us, but that the Lord of Hoſts hath ſtretched out his mighty arm over us, which as a brazen wall, defendeth us againſt all the cruel darts which both Satan and the world do dayly caſt againſt us? That we live then, that we teach, and you hear the word, that we have place and liberty in the Church ſo to do, theſe things Satan cannot abide, and therefore he raiſeth the gates of Hell againſt us; notwithſtanding he is compelled to ſuffer all theſe things through the power of Chriſt our King, who ſitteth at the right hand of God; for by mans ſtrength and power theſe things could not be retained and defended. If Satan then at any time have his will in troubling the Church, in murthering the people of God, and ſuch like, therefore it is, becauſe God would ſhew what Satan is able to do every moment if he were not reſiſted by the almighty power of God, to the end that we ſhould walk in the fear of God, and acknowledging this ineſtimable benefit, continually pray unto God for the ſame. Let us learn then to ſing with David: If the Lord had not been on our ſide, &c. whoſe mighty hand hath defended us, whoſe power alone hath preſerved us. And although the world rage againſt us, though Satan vex us never ſo ſore, they cannot hurt us. Be of good comfort (ſaith Chriſt our Saviour) for I have overcome the world. Again; I give unto them everlaſting life, and none ſhall take them out of my hand.
Verſe 3. They had then ſwallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled againſt us.
In theſe words he expreſſeth, not only the ſtrength, rage, and cruelty of the enemies: but alſo how weak and unable the Iſraelites were to withſtand them. And here he uſeth a ſimilitude taken of fierce and outragious beaſts, whoſe property is, when they have taken their Preys, to ſwallow them up alive. Likewiſe when we would expreſs the cruelty or malice of any towards us, we are wont to ſay: He hateth me ſo deadly, that he could find in his heart to eat me, or ſwallow me up quick. The Prophet meaneth then that their enemies were ſo many and ſo mighty, that they needed no armour or weapons to deſtroy them, but were able, like fierce and cruel beaſts, to ſwallow them up alive, being ſo weak and ſo little a flock.
Verſe 4. Then the Waters had drowned us, and the ſtream had gone over our ſoul.
Terrible is the rage of fire, but much more terrible is the violence and rage of water, for that no power can reſiſt. Now, ſaith David, like as huge and mighty floods of water carried with great power and violence, do ſuddenly overthrow and bear down whatſoever they meet withall: even ſuch is the rage of the enemies of Gods Church, which no power of man is able to withſtand. Therefore let us learn to truſt to the Lords defence and ſuccour. For what elſe is the Church, but as a little boat tyed by a River fide, and by violence of the water ſoon carried away? Or as a Reed which by force of the ſtream is eaſily plucked up and carried away? Such was the people of Iſrael in Davids time, being compared to the Gentiles round about them. Such is the Church likewiſe at this day, compared to the adverſaries. Such is every one of us in reſpect of the force and power of the malignant ſpirit. We are like a Reed which is eaſily plucked up: and he like a raging flood which with great might and violence overthroweth and carrieth away all things. We are like a withered leaf, ſoon blown from the tree; and he like a mighty wind or tempeſt, not onelyonly blowing down leaves, but plucking up and overthrowing trees and all. What are we then poor wretches able to do of our own power and ſtrength for our defence? We muſt learn therefore by faith wholly to reſt upon the word. For what is our victory but even our faith? Albeit that armour and munitions have their place, yet can they nothing help at all, unleſs we have a truſt and affiance in the Lord, who hath promiſed to be our God, our ſtrength, and our defence: whoſe power is ſuch, whoſe mighty arm alſo is ſtretched out for the defence of his, that albeit never ſo great a tempeſt or violent rage of water ſhould invade the pooreſt and ſimpleſt cottage that can be, it forceth not. Let this be then our aſſured truſt, let this be the rock of our ſafety, help and ſuccour, that God will be our defender and keeper, that the great floods and mighty waters carry us not away. This ſure defence and mighty protection of our God, the wicked neither know nor believe; for they attribute all their ſucceſs and welfare to their own ſtrength, wiſdom, and riches. But Solomon, albeit he was a King abundantly endued with all theſe things, yet ſaith he: Except the Lord build the houſe, the builders labour in vain: Except the Lord keep the City, they watch in vain that keep it.
Verſe 5. Then had the ſwelling waters gone over our ſoul.
He ſetteth out yet more lively and as it were before their eyes, the great danger from the which God had delivered them. And this vehement kind of ſpeech which he uſeth here, had as great force to make the faithful to feel from what terrible deſtruction they were delivered by the mighty hand of God, as if their danger had been preſent before their eyes, and ſo to become more thankful to God for the ſame.Note who are moſt thankfull. For he is thankful to God indeed for his deliverance and ſafety, which doth acknowledge that before his deliverance he ſaw nothing elſe but utter deſtruction.
Thus David ſetteth out the afflictions. and calamities of the Church and of the godly, whom the world doth not only hate, but cruelly Perſecute. Whereby we may ſee that it hath not only a greedy deſire, but alſo power to hurt, murder and deſtroy. Satan likewiſe goeth about like a raging Lyon, ſeeking whom he may devour. Beſides theſe, there are great and horrible ſins ſticking in our fleſh. That we fall not therefore every moment into deſperation, or otherwiſe periſh, it is becauſe he is greater which is in us, then he which is in the world, or the whole world beſides, as David ſaith: If God had not been with us, our enemies had ſwallowed us up alive. Now he addeth a notable ſimilitude, wherewith he amplifieth the danger of the godly, and power of the wicked.
Verſe 6. Praiſed be the Lord, which hath not given us as a Prey unto their Teeth.
He exhorteth the faithſul to be thankful for their deliverance, and expreſſeth unto them, how and (as it were) with what words they ſhould declare this thankfullneſs. Wherein he ſetteth forth yet further by another ſimilitude, that it could not be but they muſt utterly have periſhed, if God had not miraculouſly defended them. For they were, ſaith he, no otherwiſe preſerved, then as if a man ſhould violently take a Prey out of the jaws of a raging and cruel beaſt. As if he ſaid, We were indeed like ſilly ſheep, and as a Prey ready to be devoured of cruel beaſts: but praiſed be the Lord our God, which would not ſuffer us ſo to periſh. He ſaith not: which hath delivered us: albeit he did indeed mightily deliver them: but, which hath not given us as a Prey, &c. For this is it which ſpecially the Holy Ghoſt here ſetteth forth, that the wicked cannot hurt the godly, be they never ſo many, mighty, furious, cruell and terrible, like to raging and violent waters, like to cruel and outragious beaſts, falling upon them with open mouth, except the Lord give them into their hands. Let us therefore with David ſing praiſes unto the Lord our God, which keepeth and defendeth us, that the raging and cruel beaſts which have ſharpened their teeth to devour us, cannot hurt us. Without this merciful protection of our God, there is no way to ſtand againſt Satan and his cruell members the ſpace of one moment.
Verſe 7. Our Soul is eſcaped even as a bird out of the ſnare of the Fouler: The ſnare is broken, and we are delivered.
He amplifieth yet further by a third ſimilitude, the great perills and dangers of the faithful, being in the hands of their enemies, as a bird that is taken in the ſnare is in the hands of the fouler; and yet notwithſtanding they eſcaped by the mighty power of God, no otherwiſe then the bird that is delivered out of the ſnare of the fouler. By the ſnare is here to be underſtood as well the fraud and ſubtilty of the enemies, whereby the Iſraelites were brought into thraldom and captivity, as alſo the ſtrength and power wherewith they were long oppreſſed. So that they had not onelyonly to do with Bloody and Cruel Enemies, but alſo were entrapped and ſnared by fraud and ſubtilty, and with might and power miſerably oppreſſed. Thus being unable both in Strength and Policy to withſtand their Enemies, they were every way in danger of Death and Deſtruction: whereby it appeareth that they were miraculouſly delivered.
And here have we an Image of our ſpiritual Thraldom and Captivity under Satan, in whoſe ſnares we were once moſt miſerably wrapped. Now therefore that we are delivered by the ineſtimable benefit of Chriſt, let us acknowlege both our former Calamity, and the Liberty of this Grace wherein we ſtand, and let us beware that we caſt not our ſelves into the ſnares of ſervile Bondage any more. For Satan ſleepeth not, but lyeth continually in wait for us, ready to draw us into thoſe ſnares again, out of the which by the great mercy of God we were delivered: yea and ſometimes is ſuffered to hurt either our Bodies or Souls, not only to ſhew us that he is able likewiſe to deſtroy both Body and Soul, if God did ſo permit: but alſo to ſtir us up to Faith and Prayer, that we ſhould call upon him for Aid and Succour againſt theſe perillous Snares, and being delivered, ſhould give him thanks and praiſe for the ſame.
Moreover, every Tentation is a Snare, whether it be of the Fleſh or Spirit. Perſecution, Torments, Impriſonment, Slander, diſeaſes and infirmities of the Body, be ſnares; which as they are permitted of God to exerciſe and ſtrengthen our Faith: ſo by the malice of Satan they are wrought to afflict and to vex men, that he may bring them to infidelity and deſperation, and ſo into the Snares of eternal Death. From the which Snares, but by the ſpecial Grace of God, there is no way to eſcape.
Thus our life lyeth always open to the Snares of Satan,The Snares of Satan. and we as ſilly Birds are like at every moment to be carried away. Notwithſtanding the Lord maketh a way for us to eſcape. Yea when Satan ſeemeth to be moſt ſure of us, by the mighty Power of God the Snares are broken, and we are delivered. Experience hereof we have in thoſe which are inwardly afflicted, and with heavineſs of Spirit grievouſly oppreſſed; that when they ſeem to be in utter Deſpair, and ready (as you would ſay) now to periſh, yet even at the laſt pinch, and in the uttermoſt Extremity, cometh the ſweet Comfort of Gods holy Spirit, and raiſeth them up again. When we are moſt ready to periſh, then is God moſt ready to help.Pſal. 94. Except the Lord had holpen me (ſaith David) my Soul had almoſt dwelt in ſilence.
Verſe 8. Our help is in the Name of the Lord who hath made both Heaven and Earth.
This is the Concluſion of Thankſgiving, containing a worthy ſentence of great Comfort, that againſt Sin, the horrour of Death,The Name of the Lord is our only Sanctuary and ſuccour in all afflictions. and other Dangers, there is no other help or ſafety but only the Name of the Lord. If that were not (ſaith he) we ſhould fall into all manner of Sin, Blaſphemy, Errors, and into all kind of Calamities. But our help is in the Name of the Lord, which preſerveth our Faith and our Life againſt the Devil and the World. And as ye heard in the other Verſes before, ſo he ſheweth in this verſe alſo, that God ſuffereth his Saints to be tempted, and in their Tentation to fall into great Diſtreſs, as even now ready to be drowned and ſwallowed up preſently with great floods of Water: yet notwithſtanding this Comfort he ſheweth them, that he will not utterly forſake them. By the which Examples we may learn to know the Will of the Lord, and to ſeek our help and ſafety at his hands, which ſuffereth his People to be exerciſed in the Furnace of Egypt, not to their utter Deſtruction, but only to kill the old man with his vain hope and confidence which he hath in his own ſtrength. This is the cauſe why God ſuffereth his People to be exerciſed. For it is not hearing, reading, talking, or teaching, nor Speculation only which maketh a Chriſtian man, but Practice is that which ſpecially is required in a true Chriſtian, that is to ſay, the Croſs, to pluck down the fleſh and bring it to nothing; That man, deſpairing of his own ſtrength, and ſeeing no ſuccour in himſelf, ſhould reſign himſelf wholly unto the Lord, looking with Patience and Hope for help at his hand: for this is the Will of God. Neither muſt we imagine to our ſelves any other God then ſuch an one as will help the afflicted and oppreſſed with Deſperation and other Calamities. To know this Doctrine is one piece of the victory. For they that know it not when Tentation aſſaileth them, either do deſpair or ſeek other helps. Let us learn then out of this Pſalm, that it is the Will of God to exerciſe his Saints with troubles and afflictions: Who ſuffereth great floods of Water to run over their heads: who alſo permitteth them to fall into the Snares of the Wicked, and tryeth every Way, not to deſtroy them, but to ſhew them what they are of themſelves, and ſo to teach them to truſt in his ſaving health. But the fleſh looketh to the power and multitude of the Adverſaries, and her own infirmity: but to look unto God, and to hope for his help and ſuccour, it is not able.
Wherefore this is a neceſſary Concluſion: Our help is in the Name of the Lord. It is a ſhort-Sentence, but it ſetteth forth moſt worthy Doctrine and Conſolation: whereof ſpecially in theſe latter days we have great need, ſeeing the Pope, together with the greateſt part of the Princes and Rulers of the World, ſo cruelly do perſecure the Doctrine of the Goſpel. In reſpect of theſe huge Mountains, what are we ſmall Molehils? Yea tho there were no Force nor Power of man for us to fear, how are we able to ſtand againſt, not only ſo many Devils, but even the very gates of Hell alſo? And yet this Experience we have of the great Mercy and Goodneſs of the Lord our God, that when we are even in their hands, and never ſo much oppreſſed, yet are we not forſaken, but are ſafe through our Confidence and truſt in his Help.The fruit of afflictions. But to this Wiſdom it is impoſſible for us to attain without continual afflictions: whereby it is neceſſary that the confidence of all worldly ſuccours ſhould be beaten down. For vexation and trouble bringeth Underſtanding (as Iſaiah ſaith,) whereby we are compelled to cry; Help Lord, for elſe we periſh. So in the laſt hour when Death approacheth, there is nothing wherein mans Heart can repoſe it ſelf or find Comfort, but his truſt and confidence in the help of the Lord; There is reſt and quietneſs, there is perfect Peace. He that can then ſay, My Help is in the Name of the Lord, dyeth happily, and is out of all danger. Thus we may learn what it is to have and enjoy God, even to reſt in the ſure truſt of his merciful help and ſuccour in all dangers. Theſe are the Words therefore of a victorious and triumphing Faith: Our help is in the name of the Lord which made Heaven and Earth. As if he ſaid: The maker of Heaven and Earth is my God and my helper. Shew me a God (O ye my Adverſaries) like unto him. What are your ſnares and your traines then, compared unto this God? What are your threatnings, your Power, your Policies? &c.
Thus he ſetteth the Eternal God, the maker of Heaven and Earth, againſt all terrours and dangers, againſt the floods and overflowings of all tentations, and ſwalloweth up as it were with on breath, all the raging furies of the whole World, and of Hell it ſelf, even as a little drop of Water is ſwallowed up of a mighty flaming fire. And what is the World with all his Force and Power, in reſpect of him which made Heaven and Earth? Let the World fret then, let it rage, ſo that this ſuccour never fail us. And if it be the Will of God that we ſhall ſuffer trouble and affliction, yet in him we ſhall overcome at length.