A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. A psalm of David.

1 What if the Lord had not been on our side? Let all Israel repeat:

2 What if the Lord had not been on our side when people attacked us?

3 They would have swallowed us alive in their burning anger.

4 The waters would have engulfed us; a torrent would have overwhelmed us.

5 Yes, the raging waters of their fury would have overwhelmed our very lives.

6 Praise the Lord, who did not let their teeth tear us apart!

7 We escaped like a bird from a hunter’s trap. The trap is broken, and we are free!

8 Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.