King James Version
What Does Psalms 124:4 Mean?
“Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul:”
Psalms 124:4 · KJV
Context
2
If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us:
3
Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us:
4
Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul:
5
Then the proud waters had gone over our soul.
6
Blessed be the LORD, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth.
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryAlternative imagery continues the hypothetical destruction: 'Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul.' Water imagery replaces the swallowing monster metaphor but conveys similar totality of threat. 'Waters overwhelmed' suggests flood, tsunami, or drowning - forces too powerful to resist. The word 'overwhelmed' (Hebrew 'shataph') means to rinse away, overflow, or drown. The parallel 'stream had gone over our soul' emphasizes that destruction would have been personal and complete - the 'soul' (nephesh - whole person) would have been submerged. Water often symbolizes chaos and death in Scripture (Genesis 1:2; Psalm 69:1-2; Jonah 2:3-5). The dual imagery (swallowing and drowning) from verses 3-4 reinforces the message: without God, destruction was certain, total, and imminent from multiple directions.
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural Context
Water imagery would resonate powerfully with people who experienced the Red Sea deliverance (Exodus 14) and Jordan crossing (Joshua 3). Israel's salvation history involved God controlling waters to deliver His people. Conversely, floods represented judgment (Noah) and chaos. The imagery also recalls prophetic descriptions of invading armies as floods (Isaiah 8:7-8; Jeremiah 47:2).
Reflection Questions
- How does water imagery communicate helplessness differently than the swallowing imagery?
- What does it mean for waters to go 'over our soul' rather than merely threaten physically?
- How does Israel's historical experience of water deliverance (Red Sea, Jordan) shape interpretation of this verse?
- In what ways do believers experience 'overwhelming' circumstances that threaten to drown faith?
- How does baptism imagery in the New Testament connect to this psalm's water symbolism?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 7 wordsשְׁטָפ֑וּנוּ3 of 7
“had overwhelmed”
H7857to gush; by implication, to inundate, cleanse; by analogy, to gallop, conquer
נַ֝֗חְלָה4 of 7
“us the stream”
H5158a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)
עָבַ֥ר5 of 7
“had gone over”
H5674to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
עַל6 of 7
H5921above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
נַפְשֵֽׁנוּ׃7 of 7
“our soul”
H5315properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
Study Guide
Historical Context
This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Theological Significance
Psalms 124:4 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Cross-References
Verses related to Psalms 124:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge