Psalms 124:7
We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped!
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The repetition of "we have escaped!" isn't just emphasizing relief; it highlights the sheer shock and wonder of deliverance. It mirrors the feeling of a tiny bird suddenly finding itself free, fluttering away from a trap that seemed inescapable, with the understanding that it was God, not their own strength, that broke the snare.
The psalm begins with a dramatic "If it had not been the LORD..." reflecting on a near-catastrophic danger that has just passed. The people of God recount how close they came to utter destruction, like being swallowed alive by a raging flood or torn apart by wild beasts. This verse offers a vivid image of their escape from an intricate trap set by their enemies, emphasizing their helplessness and the miraculous breaking of that snare. The song concludes by attributing the entire rescue to God's power alone.
Imagine being caught, helpless, with danger closing in. This psalm paints a vivid picture of such peril, but emphasizes an unexpected turn of events.
The Psalmist uses the powerful image of a bird escaping a fowler's snare to describe their deliverance. It's not just about being freed; it's about how they were freed.
The Broken Snare
The key here is that the snare itself was broken. This wasn't a case of the bird being too clever or too strong. It implies an external force intervening, causing the trap to fail.
God's Unseen Hand
This points directly to God's sovereign intervention. Just as a bird couldn't break a fowler's snare on its own, Israel couldn't escape their enemies through their own might or wisdom. Their deliverance was a miracle, a testament to God actively working on their behalf, even when they felt completely helpless. The commentators highlight that this Psalm is often understood as the exiles returning from Babylon, a situation where humanly speaking, escape seemed impossible. The sudden, inexplicable breaking of the snare mirrors the inexplicable nature of their freedom.
Was Israel's escape a mere stroke of luck? This verse invites us to consider the deeper meaning behind seemingly fortunate events.
The imagery of a bird escaping a fowler's net isn't just a beautiful metaphor; it's a profound statement about divine providence.
The Vulnerable Bird
A bird in a snare is utterly helpless. It's weak, easily trapped, and its struggles often only tighten the net. This reflects Israel's desperate situation, where their own strength or cunning was no match for their powerful enemies.
Providence at Work
When the snare breaks, it’s not the bird’s doing. The Psalmist is clear: 'we have escaped.' This points to God's active, guiding hand, orchestrating events in ways that defy human explanation. Commentators suggest this Psalm could well be reflecting on the return from Babylonian exile, where a series of unlikely events, like the reading of historical records to an emperor (as in Esther), led to their freedom. These weren't random occurrences; they were God working through circumstances to bring about His purposes.
Understand the original words
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 likely reflects the profound relief and astonishment of the Judean people after escaping sudden, existential threats, particularly resonating with the perilous events described in the Book of Esther, where their annihilation was narrowly averted.
c. 586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and First Temple
The Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar II conquer Jerusalem, destroy the Temple, and deport many of the elite. This marks a catastrophic loss for the Judean people.
538 BC
Cyrus the Great's Decree
Following the Persian conquest of Babylon, Cyrus issues a decree allowing exiled peoples, including the Judeans, to return to their homelands and rebuild their temples.
c. 537-536 BC
First Return from Exile
A significant number of Judean exiles, led by figures like Zerubbabel, return to Jerusalem to begin the arduous task of rebuilding the city and the Second Temple.
c. 458 BC
Ezra's Return to Jerusalem
The scribe Ezra leads another group of exiles back to Jerusalem, focusing on religious reforms and the restoration of the Law.
Jesus quotes Isaiah, describing his mission to 'set at liberty those who are oppressed,' which echoes the theme of deliverance from a snare or captivity.
2 Timothy 2:26This verse speaks of escaping from the trap of the devil, directly paralleling the imagery of a snare and emphasizing spiritual liberation.
Genesis 19:17The escape of Lot and his family from Sodom, with the urgent command 'escape for your life,' mirrors the desperate flight and sudden deliverance described in Psalm 124.
Acts 12:7Peter's miraculous escape from prison, where an angel struck him and his chains fell off, vividly illustrates a sudden, divinely-wrought release from an inescapable situation.
poolePsalms 124:7: "Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped."
No text from Poole on this verse.
ellicottPsalms 124:7: "Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped."
(7) Snare. —Another rapid transition to a favourite figure, that of the hunter’s net. (Comp. Psalm 10:9 , &c)
The repetition of "we have escaped!" isn't just emphasizing relief; it highlights the sheer shock and wonder of deliverance. It mirrors the feeling of a tiny bird suddenly finding itself free, fluttering away from a trap that seemed inescapable, with the understanding that it was God, not their own strength, that broke the snare.
The psalm begins with a dramatic "If it had not been the LORD..." reflecting on a near-catastrophic danger that has just passed. The people of God recount how close they came to utter destruction, like being swallowed alive by a raging flood or torn apart by wild beasts. This verse offers a vivid image of their escape from an intricate trap set by their enemies, emphasizing their helplessness and the miraculous breaking of that snare. The song concludes by attributing the entire rescue to God's power alone.
The psalm begins with a dramatic "If it had not been the LORD..." reflecting on a near-catastrophic danger that has just passed. The people of God recount how close they came to utter destruction, like being swallowed alive by a raging flood or torn apart by wild beasts. This verse offers a vivid image of their escape from an intricate trap set by their enemies, emphasizing their helplessness and the miraculous breaking of that snare. The song concludes by attributing the entire rescue to God's power alone.
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c. 445 BC
Nehemiah's Return and Rebuilding Walls
Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem with royal permission to rebuild the city walls, facing significant opposition from surrounding peoples. This effort is ultimately successful, securing the city.
c. 410 BC— this verse
Esther and the Purim Plot
The Book of Esther recounts a plot by Haman to annihilate all Jews in the Persian Empire. The plot is thwarted through the intervention of Queen Esther and Mordecai, leading to the institution of the festival of Purim.
"We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped!" — The repetition of "we have escaped!" isn't just emphasizing relief; it highlights the sheer shock and wonder of deliverance. It mirrors the feeling of a tiny bird suddenly finding itself free, flutte…
