Psalms 124:6

Blessed be the Lord, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth.

Psalms 124:6 (KJV)

Context

Psalm 124 is a song of thanksgiving attributed to King David. The psalm remembers a time when Israel faced a serious threat from enemies. Earlier verses describe the danger as a flood that would have swept the people away. Verse 6 changes the picture to that of a wild animal tearing its prey. The exact historical event is not named, but David often faced enemies from surrounding nations and from within Israel. The church has long used this psalm to give thanks after times of persecution or affliction.

Meaning

The verse begins with praise: “Blessed be the LORD.” David blesses God because God has not handed His people over to destruction. The word “prey” shows how helpless Israel was. Their enemies were like beasts with sharp teeth, ready to devour them. The image is violent and clear. Yet God did not allow them to be swallowed up. The deliverance was complete, and the proper response is worship.

Biblical connections

The picture of enemies as animals with teeth appears elsewhere in Scripture. In Psalm 57:4, David describes his foes as lions who are ready to devour. Here the same idea shows the danger and the Lord’s power to save. The next verse, Psalm 124:7, adds another image: a bird escaping from the fowler’s snare. Together these pictures teach that God rescues His people from real and deadly danger. The whole psalm gives glory to God alone for the deliverance.

Application

This verse calls believers to remember times when God protected them from harm. It is easy to forget dangers that have passed. David’s praise is a model for us. We can thank God for dangers we never faced and for troubles from which He brought us out. The verse also encourages trust for the future. The same God who guarded Israel can guard His people today.

Reflection

When we say “Blessed be the LORD,” we are not adding to God’s glory. We are acknowledging that He alone is worthy of praise. This verse invites us to look back at our own lives and see the Lord’s protecting hand. It also invites us to speak our thanks openly, as David did. Gratitude is not only a feeling; it is a declaration that God has acted for His people.