Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 124:5
Then the proud waters had gone over our soul.
5. the proud waters ] Cp. the “proud waves” of the sea in Job 38:11: here the epithet is especially suitable, as suggesting the insolence of the enemy.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Then the proud waters had gone over our soul – Over us. The word proud here is applied to the waters as if raging, swelling, rolling, tumultuous; as if they were self-confident, arrogant, haughty. Such raging billows, as they break and dash upon the shore, are a striking embIem of human passions, whether in an individual, or in a gathering of men – as an army, or a mob. Compare Psa 65:7. This is again an amplification, or an ascent of thought. See the notes at Psa 124:2. It is, however, nothing more than a poetical embellisment, adding intensity to the expression.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 5. Then the proud waters] The proud Haman had nearly brought the flood of desolation over our lives.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Our enemies, compared to
proud waters, for their great multitude, and swelling rage, and mighty force.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
5. The epithet proudadded to waters denotes insolent enemies.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Then the proud waters had gone over our soul. The wicked, who, through their pride, persecute the poor saints: these proud tyrants and persecutors would prevail over them, to their ruin and destruction; who, for their number, force, and strength, and especially for their pride and haughtiness, are like to the strong, boisterous, and swelling waves of the sea, were they not stopped and bounded by him who has said, Thus far shall ye go, and no farther, Job 38:11.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(5) Proud.The Hebrew presents a rare form, which is considered indicative of later composition. For the epithet, comp. schylus, Prom. Vinct. 717:
And you will reach the scornful riverwell it deserves
the name.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 124:5. Then, &c. Then it had passed over our soul, even {proud / swelling} waters.
REFLECTIONS.The greater the danger is to which we are exposed, the greater doth the power and grace of our God appear in our rescue, and the more are we indebted to him in love and praise.
1. The enemies of God’s church and people are many and mighty; rising up fierce as a lion, and ready to devour them, quick and eager in the pursuit, and raging in their wrath to destroy them. Then in that day of trial we may truly say, the waters had overwhelmed us, and the stream had gone over our soul; then the proud waters had gone over our soul, the floods of persecution, affliction, temptation had prevailed, and we had sunk as a stone in the mighty waters, if,and a blessed if it is
2. If it had not been the Lord, who was on our side, or with us, for our strength is weakness, and we have no power to stand, either against our foes without or within; but having a friend close to our side, one so faithful to stand by us, so almighty to save us, even Jehovah, we cannot sink under these mighty waters; fixed, as upon a munition of rocks, we may look down secure, and mock their impotent rage.
3. The Psalmist, in the person of the faithful, blessed God for their support and deliverance. Blessed be the Lord, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth, he hath broken the teeth of the lions, our persecutors; and, as a bird from the fowler’s snare, are we escaped from our wily foes. Note; When the faithful are nearest in appearance to be overcome, and perish, then shall they be made more eminently to experience the salvation of God.
4. Past experience encourages the faithful to stay themselves still upon God. Our help is in the name of the Lord; we have no other able or willing to save us, but he who made heaven and earth; and he can assuredly save to the uttermost. Let Israel therefore trust in the Lord.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Psa 124:5 Then the proud waters had gone over our soul.
Ver. 5. Then the proud waters, &c. ] The same again, to note the greatness both of the danger and of the deliverance. And it may teach us not lightly to pass over God’s great blessings, but to make the most of them.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
the proud: Psa 93:3, Psa 93:4, Job 38:11, Jer 5:22
Reciprocal: 2Sa 22:17 – he drew Psa 31:20 – from Psa 32:6 – in the floods Psa 69:14 – out of Lam 3:54 – Waters