Blessed be the LORD, who has not given us as prey to their teeth! We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped!
English Standard Version (ESV)
The imagery of being "prey to their teeth" isn't just about being devoured, but specifically highlights the violent, tearing nature of destruction the psalmist narrowly avoided. It emphasizes that their deliverance wasn't a gentle rescue, but a snatching away from a brutal, animalistic fate.
Blessed be the LORD, who has not given us as prey to their teeth! We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped!
English Standard Version (ESV)
This psalm is a passionate song of thanksgiving, likely sung by the returned exiles from Babylon. It vividly recalls the overwhelming dangers they faced, like a raging flood threatening to drown them, and expresses profound astonishment that God intervened to save them when all human hope was lost. The verse follows the recounting of near destruction by powerful enemies, who are compared to ravenous beasts ready to devour them whole.
When danger looms, it feels like predators are circling, ready to tear us apart. How does God's Word describe His intense, protective power on our behalf?
Verse 6 uses a powerful image: being 'prey to their teeth.' This isn't just about being caught; it's about being violently torn apart and devoured. The commentators highlight this as a metaphor for intense, destructive enemies, like wild beasts eager to consume their victims. Think of the sheer ferocity and finality implied by 'teeth.'
But notice what God hasn't done: He 'has not given us as prey.' This means God actively intervened. He didn't just stand by; He shielded us. Our deliverance isn't a matter of luck or our own strength; it's a testament to God's powerful, even fierce, protection against those who would utterly destroy us.
Deliverance often brings immediate relief, but what does lasting, heartfelt gratitude look like in our lives?
The opening of verse 6, 'Blessed be the LORD,' isn't just a fleeting thought; it's an exhortation to bless God. This means actively acknowledging and praising Him for His goodness. The psalm's structure, repeating themes of danger and deliverance, shows that true gratitude isn't a one-time event.
It's a recognition that God is the sole actor in our rescue. As we reflect on how close we came to ruin, and how miraculously we were saved, our praise naturally overflows. This isn't just 'artistic embellishment'; it's the overflow of a heart deeply aware of its own helplessness and God's mighty power. Our thanksgiving should be as persistent as our prayers were.
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Understand the original words
baruk · Hebrew Adjective/Passive Participle
A term of praise and adoration ascribed to God, acknowledging His goodness, sovereignty, and the source of all blessing. It signifies a declaration that God is worthy of honor and worship.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal, covenantal name of God revealed to Israel, signifying His self-existence, eternal nature, and faithfulness to His people. It is the name through which God enters into a redemptive relationship with humanity.
terep · Hebrew Noun
Anything seized or taken by force, especially referring to prey caught by a predator; metaphorically used to describe vulnerability to the violence of enemies.
nimlatnu · Hebrew Verb
To slip away from danger, bondage, or destruction; it implies divine deliverance where the subject is rescued from a situation they could not overcome on their own.
moqesh · Hebrew Noun
A trap or device used for ensnaring; metaphorically representing deceitful plots, hidden dangers, or the entrapment set by wicked individuals to destroy the righteous.
yaqush · Hebrew Noun
One who traps birds; often used metaphorically for enemies who use cunning, deceit, or ambush to entrap others.
This psalm vividly captures the immense relief and wonder of the Jewish people upon their return from Babylonian exile, recognizing their miraculous deliverance from total annihilation.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Israel
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern Kingdom of Israel, deporting many Israelites and resettling the land with foreigners. This marks a significant catastrophe for the northern tribes.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Judah
The Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar II conquers the southern Kingdom of Judah, destroying Jerusalem and its Temple. Most of the remaining Jewish population is exiled to Babylon.
539 BC
Cyrus the Great Conquers Babylon
The Persian Empire, led by Cyrus the Great, overthrows the Babylonian Empire. This victory ushers in a new era for the exiled Jewish people.
538 BC— this verse
Edict of Cyrus Allowing Return
Cyrus issues a decree permitting the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple. This marks the beginning of the return from Babylonian exile.
c. 516 BC
Completion of the Second Temple
Under the leadership of figures like Zerubbabel and Joshua the high priest, the exiles complete the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. This signifies a restoration of worship and national identity.
This passage uses a similar vivid imagery of being torn apart by wild beasts, directly linking to the 'prey to their teeth' metaphor in Psalm 124:6 and highlighting the severity of the danger faced.
Ezekiel 22:27This verse describes leaders who are like wolves tearing their prey, paralleling the 'prey to their teeth' imagery and showing how this threat of cruel, predatory enemies is a recurring theme in Scripture.
Matthew 12:24Here, Jesus uses the metaphor of a 'strong man's house' being plundered, illustrating how powerful forces can overwhelm and destroy, which resonates with the sense of being nearly devoured that Psalm 124:6 addresses.
1 Peter 5:8This verse warns believers about the devil, who 'prowls around like a roaring lion' seeking someone to devour, connecting the 'prey to their teeth' imagery to a spiritual battle and the constant threat from unseen enemies.
pulpitPsalms 124:6: "Blessed be the LORD, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth."
Verse 6. - Blessed be the Lord, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth. We are not devoured - we are not "swallowed up" - thanks to the interposition of the merciful and gracious Lord, to whom therefore praise and blessing are due.
poolePsalms 124:6: "Blessed be the LORD, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth."
A metaphor from wild beasts, which tear and devour their prey with their teeth.
The imagery of being "prey to their teeth" isn't just about being devoured, but specifically highlights the violent, tearing nature of destruction the psalmist narrowly avoided. It emphasizes that their deliverance wasn't a gentle rescue, but a snatching away from a brutal, animalistic fate.
This psalm is a passionate song of thanksgiving, likely sung by the returned exiles from Babylon. It vividly recalls the overwhelming dangers they faced, like a raging flood threatening to drown them, and expresses profound astonishment that God intervened to save them when all human hope was lost. The verse follows the recounting of near destruction by powerful enemies, who are compared to ravenous beasts ready to devour them whole.
This psalm is a passionate song of thanksgiving, likely sung by the returned exiles from Babylon. It vividly recalls the overwhelming dangers they faced, like a raging flood threatening to drown them, and expresses profound astonishment that God intervened to save them when all human hope was lost. The verse follows the recounting of near destruction by powerful enemies, who are compared to ravenous beasts ready to devour them whole.
"Blessed be the LORD, who has not given us as prey to their teeth! We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped!" — The imagery of being "prey to their teeth" isn't just about being devoured, but specifically highlights the violent, tearing nature of destruction the psalmist narrowly avoided. It emphasizes that th…
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Last reviewed October 2026