Martin Luther on Psalms 124:2

Verſe 2. If the Lord had not been on our ſide, when men roſe up againſt us. This repetition is not in vain. For whilſt we are in danger, our fear is without meaſure: but when it is once paſt, we imagine it to have been leſs then it was indeed. And this is the deluſion of Satan, to diminiſh and obſcure the Grace of God. David therefore with this repetition ſtirreth up the People to greater thankfulneſs unto God for his gracious Deliverance and amplifieth the dangers which they had paſſed. Whereby we are taught how to think of our troubles and afflictions paſt, leaſt the ſence and feeling of Gods Grace vaniſh out of our minds. And here note, how God dealeth with his People in their diſtreſs, who ſuffereth their Enemies ſo far to prevail over them, and deferreth his help ſo long, till it ſeem impoſſible for them to eſcape: ſo that they are compelled to confeſs and acknowledge, that they muſt needs have periſhed if the mighty hand of God had not delivered them. Theſe two things then we ſee the Iſraelites here to acknowledge: firſt, That the Lord was on their ſide, that is, ſuccoured and delivered them; then alſo that it had not been poſſible but they muſt utterly have periſhed, if God had not preſerved and defended them. By men is here underſtood whatſoever is great and mighty in the world; as if he ſaid: We are counted as abjects and out caſts of the world. The Princes, the Rulers, the Wiſe, the Rich of the world riſe up againſt us, to deſtroy us and to root us out from the face of the earth. If ye behold with how great and how many Kingdoms we are compaſſed about, which bear a deadly hatred againſt us, we may ſeem like to a ſilly Sheep compaſſed about with a multitude of cruel Wolves, every moment ready to devour it. That we live in ſafety therefore, and that our Enemies prevail not againſt us, acknowledge it to be the great mercy of God, O Iſrael, which ſo miraculouſly preſerveth and defendeth ſo ſmall a flock. In like manner we are compelled to ſay and confeſs at this day, that if God did not miraculouſly defend and preſerve his Church, the Power of Satan is ſo great, that one of his Angels is able in one moment to deſtroy us all, that either teach or profeſs Chriſt, and to fill the World with bloodſhed and ſlaughter. We ſee the Princes, the Pope, the Prelates, the mighty and wealthy of the World, yea the whole world in a manner bent to deſtroy us. Againſt whom what have we to defend us, but that the Lord of Hoſts hath ſtretched out his mighty arm over us, which as a brazen wall, defendeth us againſt all the cruel darts which both Satan and the world do dayly caſt againſt us? That we live then, that we teach, and you hear the word, that we have place and liberty in the Church ſo to do, theſe things Satan cannot abide, and therefore he raiſeth the gates of Hell againſt us; notwithſtanding he is compelled to ſuffer all theſe things through the power of Chriſt our King, who ſitteth at the right hand of God; for by mans ſtrength and power theſe things could not be retained and defended. If Satan then at any time have his will in troubling the Church, in murthering the people of God, and ſuch like, therefore it is, becauſe God would ſhew what Satan is able to do every moment if he were not reſiſted by the almighty power of God, to the end that we ſhould walk in the fear of God, and acknowledging this ineſtimable benefit, continually pray unto God for the ſame. Let us learn then to ſing with David: If the Lord had not been on our ſide, &c. whoſe mighty hand hath defended us, whoſe power alone hath preſerved us. And although the world rage againſt us, though Satan vex us never ſo ſore, they cannot hurt us. Be of good comfort (ſaith Chriſt our Saviour) for I have overcome the world. Again; I give unto them everlaſting life, and none ſhall take them out of my hand.