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

1What if the LORD had not been on our side?

Let all Israel repeat:

2What if the LORD had not been on our side

when people attacked us?

3They would have swallowed us alive

in their burning anger.

4The waters would have engulfed us;

a torrent would have overwhelmed us.

5Yes, the raging waters of their fury

would have overwhelmed our very lives.

6Praise the LORD,

who did not let their teeth tear us apart!

7We escaped like a bird from a hunter’s trap.

The trap is broken, and we are free!

8Our help is from the LORD,

who made heaven and earth.