Psalms 124:4
Psalms 124:4 in Multiple Translations
then the floods would have engulfed us, then the torrent would have overwhelmed us,
Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul:
Then the waters had overwhelmed us, The stream had gone over our soul;
We would have been covered by the waters; the streams would have gone over our soul;
Like a flood they would have swept over us; like a rushing torrent they would have submerged us.
Then the waters had drowned vs, and the streame had gone ouer our soule:
Then the waters had overflowed us, The stream passed over our soul,
then the waters would have overwhelmed us, the stream would have gone over our soul.
Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul:
Do good, O Lord, to those that are good, and to the upright of heart.
They would have been like [MET] a flood that swept/carried us away; it would have been as though the water would have covered us,
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 124:4
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 124:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אֲ֭זַי
הַ/מַּ֣יִם
שְׁטָפ֑וּ/נוּ
נַ֗֜חְלָ/ה
עָבַ֥ר
עַל
נַפְשֵֽׁ/נוּ
אֲ֭זַי
ʼăzay
H233
in that case
Adv
הַ/מַּ֣יִם
mayim
H4325
Water (Gate)
Art | N-mp
שְׁטָפ֑וּ/נוּ
shâṭaph
H7857
to overflow
V-Qal-Perf-3cp | Suff
נַ֗֜חְלָ/ה
nachal
H5158
Brook
N-ms | Suff
עָבַ֥ר
ʻâbar
H5674
to pass
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
נַפְשֵֽׁ/נוּ
nephesh
H5315
soul
N-cs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 124:4
אֲ֭זַי
ʼăzay
H233
"in that case"
Adv
This word means 'at that time' or 'in that case'. It is used to indicate a specific point in time. The KJV translates it as 'then'.
Definition: then, in that case
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: then. See also: Psalms 124:3; Psalms 124:4; Psalms 124:5.
הַ/מַּ֣יִם
mayim
H4325
"Water (Gate)"
Art | N-mp
This word means water, referring to a liquid or a source of refreshment. It appears in the Bible as a literal and figurative term, including references to wasting or urine. The word is used in various contexts, such as in Genesis and Leviticus.
Definition: This name means water, refreshment
Usage: Occurs in 525 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)). See also: Genesis 1:2; Leviticus 14:9; Joshua 18:15.
שְׁטָפ֑וּ/נוּ
shâṭaph
H7857
"to overflow"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp | Suff
This verb means to overflow or gush, often used to describe a strong flow of water. It can also imply cleansing or conquering, as seen in various Old Testament passages, including Psalm 69. The word is used to describe powerful natural events.
Definition: 1) to wash, rinse, overflow, engulf, rinse or wash off 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to overflow 1a2) to flow, run 1a3) to rinse or wash off 1b) (Niphal) to be swept away, be rinsed out 1c) (Pual) to be rinsed, be scoured and rinsed
Usage: Occurs in 30 OT verses. KJV: drown, (over-) flow(-whelm, rinse, run, rush, (throughly) wash (away). See also: Leviticus 6:21; Isaiah 28:17; Psalms 69:3.
נַ֗֜חְלָ/ה
nachal
H5158
"Brook"
N-ms | Suff
The Hebrew word for a brook or stream, often referring to a small river or valley, is used in the Bible to describe natural landscapes, such as the Brook Kidron in 2 Samuel 15:23. It can also refer to a narrow valley or a shaft of a mine, emphasizing the idea of a flowing body of water.
Definition: palm-tree Another name of shi.chor (שִׁיחוֹר "Shihor" H7883G)
Usage: Occurs in 123 OT verses. KJV: brook, flood, river, stream, valley. See also: Genesis 26:17; 1 Kings 18:5; Psalms 18:5.
עָבַ֥ר
ʻâbar
H5674
"to pass"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
This verb can mean to cross over or transition from one thing to another, and is sometimes used to describe being arrogant or crossing a boundary.
Definition: 1) to pass over or by or through, alienate, bring, carry, do away, take, take away, transgress 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pass over, cross, cross over, pass over, march over, overflow, go over 1a2) to pass beyond 1a3) to pass through, traverse 1a3a) passers-through (participle) 1a3b) to pass through (the parts of victim in covenant) 1a4) to pass along, pass by, overtake and pass, sweep by 1a4a) passer-by (participle) 1a4b) to be past, be over 1a5) to pass on, go on, pass on before, go in advance of, pass along, travel, advance 1a6) to pass away 1a6a) to emigrate, leave (one's territory) 1a6b) to vanish 1a6c) to perish, cease to exist 1a6d) to become invalid, become obsolete (of law, decree) 1a6e) to be alienated, pass into other hands 1b) (Niphal) to be crossed 1c) (Piel) to impregnate, cause to cross 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to pass over, cause to bring over, cause to cross over, make over to, dedicate, devote 1d2) to cause to pass through 1d3) to cause to pass by or beyond or under, let pass by 1d4) to cause to pass away, cause to take away 1e) (Hithpael) to pass over
Usage: Occurs in 493 OT verses. KJV: alienate, alter, [idiom] at all, beyond, bring (over, through), carry over, (over-) come (on, over), conduct (over), convey over, current, deliver, do away, enter, escape, fail, gender, get over, (make) go (away, beyond, by, forth, his way, in, on, over, through), have away (more), lay, meddle, overrun, make partition, (cause to, give, make to, over) pass(-age, along, away, beyond, by, -enger, on, out, over, through), (cause to, make) [phrase] proclaim(-amation), perish, provoke to anger, put away, rage, [phrase] raiser of taxes, remove, send over, set apart, [phrase] shave, cause to (make) sound, [idiom] speedily, [idiom] sweet smelling, take (away), (make to) transgress(-or), translate, turn away, (way-) faring man, be wrath. See also: Genesis 8:1; Deuteronomy 27:2; 1 Samuel 25:19.
עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
נַפְשֵֽׁ/נוּ
nephesh
H5315
"soul"
N-cs | Suff
The Hebrew word for soul or living being, used in the Bible to describe the essence of a person or animal. It encompasses the ideas of life, breath, and vitality, and is translated as 'soul' or 'creature' in the KJV. This word is central to biblical concepts of humanity and existence.
Definition: 1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion 1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man 1b) living being 1c) living being (with life in the blood) 1d) the man himself, self, person or individual 1e) seat of the appetites 1f) seat of emotions and passions 1g) activity of mind 1g1) uncertain 1h) activity of the will 1h1) uncertain 1i) activity of the character 1i1) uncertain
Usage: Occurs in 683 OT verses. KJV: any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it. See also: Genesis 1:20; Leviticus 26:43; Judges 18:25.
Study Notes — Psalms 124:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 124:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 124:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 124:4
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 124:4
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 124:4
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 124:4
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 124:4
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 124:4
- Sermons on Psalms 124:4
Context — Our Help Is in the Name of the LORD
2if the LORD had not been on our side when men attacked us,
3when their anger flared against us, then they would have swallowed us alive,
4then the floods would have engulfed us, then the torrent would have overwhelmed us,
5then the raging waters would have swept us away. 6Blessed be the LORD, who has not given us as prey to their teeth.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Revelation 17:15 | Then the angel said to me, “The waters you saw, where the prostitute was seated, are peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues. |
| 2 | Psalms 69:15 | Do not let the floods engulf me or the depths swallow me up; let not the Pit close its mouth over me. |
| 3 | Psalms 32:6 | Therefore let all the godly pray to You while You may be found. Surely when great waters rise, they will not come near. |
| 4 | Isaiah 8:7–8 | the Lord will surely bring against them the mighty floodwaters of the Euphrates — the king of Assyria and all his pomp. It will overflow its channels and overrun its banks. It will pour into Judah, swirling and sweeping over it, reaching up to the neck; its spreading streams will cover your entire land, O Immanuel! |
| 5 | Psalms 69:2 | I have sunk into the miry depths, where there is no footing; I have drifted into deep waters, where the flood engulfs me. |
| 6 | Isaiah 59:19 | So shall they fear the name of the LORD where the sun sets, and His glory where it rises. For He will come like a raging flood, driven by the breath of the LORD. |
| 7 | Revelation 12:15–16 | Then from the mouth of the serpent spewed water like a river to overtake the woman and sweep her away in the torrent. But the earth helped the woman and opened its mouth to swallow up the river that had poured from the dragon’s mouth. |
| 8 | Jeremiah 46:7–8 | Who is this, rising like the Nile, like rivers whose waters churn? Egypt rises like the Nile, and its waters churn like rivers, boasting, ‘I will rise and cover the earth; I will destroy the cities and their people.’ |
| 9 | Daniel 9:26 | Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and will have nothing. Then the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood, and until the end there will be war; desolations have been decreed. |
| 10 | Psalms 42:7 | Deep calls to deep in the roar of Your waterfalls; all Your breakers and waves have rolled over me. |
Psalms 124:4 Summary
[This verse means that without God's help, we would be overwhelmed by the challenges and pressures of life, like being swept away by a powerful flood. But with God on our side, we can trust that He will protect and deliver us, as seen in Psalms 23:4 and Isaiah 41:10. We can have confidence in His power and presence, even when things seem impossible. By trusting in God, we can face any challenge that comes our way, knowing that He is our rock and our salvation, as seen in Psalms 18:2.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the floods and torrent in Psalms 124:4?
The floods and torrent in Psalms 124:4 represent the overwhelming forces of evil that threaten God's people, as seen in Psalms 93:3-4, where the Lord is described as mightier than the waves of the sea.
How does this verse relate to the concept of spiritual warfare?
This verse illustrates the spiritual battle that believers face, where the enemy seeks to engulf and overwhelm them, but God's presence and power provide protection, as seen in Ephesians 6:12 and 2 Thessalonians 3:3.
What is the role of faith in the face of overwhelming circumstances?
Faith in God's sovereignty and power is essential in the face of overwhelming circumstances, as seen in Psalms 124:4, where the psalmist acknowledges that God's presence is the only thing that can save them from the floods and torrent, much like in Isaiah 43:2-3, where God promises to be with His people in the midst of trouble.
How can we apply this verse to our everyday lives?
We can apply this verse by trusting in God's power and provision, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges, and by recognizing that He is our only true source of hope and salvation, as seen in Romans 8:31 and Hebrews 13:6.
Reflection Questions
- What are the 'floods' and 'torrent' that you are facing in your life right now, and how can you trust God to deliver you from them?
- How has God protected and delivered you in the past, and how can you apply those experiences to your current circumstances?
- What would happen if God were not on your side, and how does that realization impact your faith and trust in Him?
- In what ways can you practically apply the truth of God's presence and power in your life, even when faced with overwhelming challenges?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 124:4
Then the waters had overwhelmed us,.... People, comparable to waters for their multitude, Strength, force, and impetuosity; which bear down all before them, and against which there is no standing;
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 124:4
Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul: Then the waters had overwhelmed us.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 124:4
Psalms 124:4 Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul:Ver. 4. Then the waters had overwhelmed us] As once the Red Sea did the Egyptians, or as the general deluge did the old world. The stream had gone over our soul] Neither could we have withstood it by any art or industry.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 124:4
(4) Waters.—The sudden transition in the imagery from the earthquake to the flood is characteristic of Hebrew poetry. (For the flood, see Psalms 18:4; Psalms 18:16; Psalms 69:14; Psalms 144:7.) Stream.—The torrent swollen with the winter rain. (Comp. Isaiah 8:7-8.)
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 124:4
4. For the figure cp. Psalms 18:16; Psalms 69:1-2; Psalms 69:15; Isaiah 8:7-8; Lamentations 3:54. the stream] The torrent, suddenly swollen by a storm. Cp. Judges 5:21. had gone over our soul] Overwhelmed us and put an end to our existence.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 124:4
Then the waters had overwhelmed us - Our destruction would have been as if the waves of the ocean had overwhelmed us. The stream had gone over our soul - The torrent would have swept us away. Compare Psalms 18:4, Psalms 18:16.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 124:4
4. The waters… overwhelmed us—Probably an allusion to Exodus 14:27-28. The stream—The mountain torrent. These, in the rainy season, are terrible, and against them no art or power of man can prevail.
Sermons on Psalms 124:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Epistle 100 by George Fox | George Fox preaches about dwelling in the power of the Lord God to stand firm in the world, handling the word of God correctly as a hammer, sword, and fire to discern the precious |
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Epistle 229 by George Fox | George Fox preaches about the importance of living in the spirit rather than the flesh, emphasizing the need to set our affections on heavenly things and subject our souls to the h |
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Don't Die in Your Wilderness by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of holding onto God's promises in times of trouble. He reminds the congregation that God has commanded them not to fear or be |
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The Forgiving Nature of God by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson emphasizes the forgiving nature of God, illustrating how even in deep despair, like that experienced by David, one can find hope and restoration through God's mercy |
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The Foundation of Faith by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson emphasizes the importance of the foundation of faith, questioning what it is built upon. He explains that faith is often tested through wilderness experiences, wher |
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The Power of Prayer by K.P. Yohannan | In this sermon, KP Yohanan emphasizes the importance of prayer and intercession for the world. He calls for a revival of prayer, where believers earnestly seek God's face and weep |
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A Coward Has No Power by Shane Idleman | This sermon emphasizes the contrast between being a coward without power and being filled with the Holy Spirit, highlighting the need for boldness, intercession, and agonizing pray |