THE LORD IS ON OUR SIDE

There is a correspondence between this psalm and Psalm 121. In that psalm, Jehovah is seen as Israel’s Keeper; in this, He is claimed by the psalmist to be “on our side”. Therefore, Israel enjoyed not only God’s protection but His presence as well. The nation owes its existence to God alone. The many attempts to exterminate it have always failed. Because the Lord was on Israel’s side, they were not swallowed up alive by the Egyptians at the Red Sea, vv. 3-6, nor by the Babylonians, from which nation a remnant had lately returned like birds escaped “out of the snare of the fowlers”, v. 7.

David went out to meet Goliath in the confidence that God was on his side, 1 Sam. 17. 45, 46; Elisha assured his panic- stricken servant of the same, 2 Kings 6. 16, 17; Nehemiah rallied his fellow-workers likewise, Neh. 4. 20; Moses confirmed the same fact to Israel, Deut. 20. 1-4. See also Num. 14. 9; Josh. 5. 13-15; 2 Chron. 13. 12.

Israel was delivered from an earthly bondage; we, from a spiritual bondage, Col. 1. 13, 14. Their conflict was against flesh and blood; ours, against principalities and powers, Eph. 6. 12. Furthermore, “the weapons of our warfare are not carnal”, 2 Cor. 10. 4. As we travel the wilderness of this world, we are exposed to the attacks of our adversary, the devil. He is depicted as a roaring lion, ready to devour, or to swallow up the believer, 1 Pet. 5. 8. On our own, we are no match for him, but the Lord is on our side. He is our Captain, leading us to glory, Heb. 2. 10. If this were not so, we would be easy prey for Satan. John encourages us with these words, “greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world”, 1 John 4. 4. Christ, the great Overcomer, dwelling within us by the power of the Spirit, makes us “more than conquerors”, John 16. 33; Rom. 8. 37.

Notwithstanding, we must be vigilant. Paul exhorts us not only to “be strong in the Lord”, but also stresses the need to put on “the whole armour of God”. Perseverance in prayer and supplication in the Spirit are seen to be vital accessories to the Christian’s panoply, Eph. 6. 13-18.

“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ”, 1 Cor. 15. 57.