Martin Luther on Psalms 124:7

Verſe 7. Our Soul is eſcaped even as a bird out of the ſnare of the Fouler: The ſnare is broken, and we are delivered. He amplifieth yet further by a third ſimilitude, the great perills and dangers of the faithful, being in the hands of their enemies, as a bird that is taken in the ſnare is in the hands of the fouler; and yet notwithſtanding they eſcaped by the mighty power of God, no otherwiſe then the bird that is delivered out of the ſnare of the fouler. By the ſnare is here to be underſtood as well the fraud and ſubtilty of the enemies, whereby the Iſraelites were brought into thraldom and captivity, as alſo the ſtrength and power wherewith they were long oppreſſed. So that they had not onely to do with Bloody and Cruel Enemies, but alſo were entrapped and ſnared by fraud and ſubtilty, and with might and power miſerably oppreſſed. Thus being unable both in Strength and Policy to withſtand their Enemies, they were every way in danger of Death and Deſtruction: whereby it appeareth that they were miraculouſly delivered. And here have we an Image of our ſpiritual Thraldom and Captivity under Satan, in whoſe ſnares we were once moſt miſerably wrapped. Now therefore that we are delivered by the ineſtimable benefit of Chriſt, let us acknowlege both our former Calamity, and the Liberty of this Grace wherein we ſtand, and let us beware that we caſt not our ſelves into the ſnares of ſervile Bondage any more. For Satan ſleepeth not, but lyeth continually in wait for us, ready to draw us into thoſe ſnares again, out of the which by the great mercy of God we were delivered: yea and ſometimes is ſuffered to hurt either our Bodies or Souls, not only to ſhew us that he is able likewiſe to deſtroy both Body and Soul, if God did ſo permit: but alſo to ſtir us up to Faith and Prayer, that we ſhould call upon him for Aid and Succour againſt theſe perillous Snares, and being delivered, ſhould give him thanks and praiſe for the ſame. Moreover, every Tentation is a Snare, whether it be of the Fleſh or Spirit. Perſecution, Torments, Impriſonment, Slander, diſeaſes and infirmities of the Body, be ſnares; which as they are permitted of God to exerciſe and ſtrengthen our Faith: ſo by the malice of Satan they are wrought to afflict and to vex men, that he may bring them to infidelity and deſperation, and ſo into the Snares of eternal Death. From the which Snares, but by the ſpecial Grace of God, there is no way to eſcape. Thus our life lyeth always open to the Snares of Satan,The Snares of Satan. and we as ſilly Birds are like at every moment to be carried away. Notwithſtanding the Lord maketh a way for us to eſcape. Yea when Satan ſeemeth to be moſt ſure of us, by the mighty Power of God the Snares are broken, and we are delivered. Experience hereof we have in thoſe which are inwardly afflicted, and with heavineſs of Spirit grievouſly oppreſſed; that when they ſeem to be in utter Deſpair, and ready (as you would ſay) now to periſh, yet even at the laſt pinch, and in the uttermoſt Extremity, cometh the ſweet Comfort of Gods holy Spirit, and raiſeth them up again. When we are moſt ready to periſh, then is God moſt ready to help. Pſal. 94. Except the Lord had holpen me (ſaith David) my Soul had almoſt dwelt in ſilence.