7 The precise significance of this title, which appears in Pss 120–134, is unclear. Perhaps worshipers recited these psalms when they ascended the road to Jerusalem to celebrate annual religious festivals. For a discussion of their background see L. C. Allen, Psalms 101–150(), .
1 Heb “rose up against us.”
2 Or “stream.”
3 Heb “would have passed over.”
4 Heb “our being.” The Hebrew term נֶפֶשׁ (nefesh) with a pronominal suffix is often equivalent to a pronoun, especially in poetry (see 660 נֶפֶשׁ 4.a).
5 Heb “then they would have passed over our being, the raging waters.”
6 Heb “blessed [be] the Lord.”
7 Heb “[the one] who.”

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

A Song of Ascents. Of David.

If it had not been the Lord who was on our side—

let Israel now say—

if it had not been the Lord who was on our side

when people rose up against us,

then they would have swallowed us up alive,

when their anger was kindled against us;

then the flood would have swept us away,

the torrent would have gone over us;

then over us would have gone

the raging waters.

Blessed be the Lord,

who has not given us

as prey to their teeth!

NIVNew International Version (2011)

A song of ascents. Of David.

If the Lord had not been on our side—

let Israel say—

if the Lord had not been on our side

when people attacked us,

they would have swallowed us alive

when their anger flared against us;

the flood would have engulfed us,

the torrent would have swept over us,

the raging waters

would have swept us away.

Praise be to the Lord,

who has not let us be torn by their teeth.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

A song of ascents. Of David.

If the Lord had not been on our side—

let Israel say—

if the Lord had not been on our side

when people attacked us,

then they would have swallowed us alive

in their burning anger against us.

Then the water would have engulfed us;

the torrent would have swept over us;

the raging water would have swept over us.

Blessed be the Lord,

who has not let us be ripped apart by their teeth.

NLTNew Living Translation

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

What if the Lord had not been on our side?

Let all Israel repeat:

What if the Lord had not been on our side

when people attacked us?

They would have swallowed us alive

in their burning anger.

The waters would have engulfed us;

a torrent would have overwhelmed us.

Yes, the raging waters of their fury

would have overwhelmed our very lives.

Praise the Lord,

who did not let their teeth tear us apart!

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

A song of ascents. Of David.

“If it had not been Yahweh who was on our side,”

do let Israel say,

“If it had not been Yahweh who was on our side,

when men rose up against us,

then they would have swallowed us alive,

when their anger was kindled against us.

Then the waters would have flooded over us,

the torrent would have passed over our soul.

Then over our soul would have passed

the raging waters.”

Blessed be Yahweh,

who has not made us prey for their teeth.

KJV 1900King James Version

A Song of degrees of David.

If it had not been the Lord who was on our side,

Now may Israel say;

If it had not been the Lord who was on our side,

When men rose up against us:

Then they had swallowed us up quick,

When their wrath was kindled against us:

Then the waters had overwhelmed us,

The stream had gone over our soul:

Then the proud waters

Had gone over our soul.

Blessed be the Lord,

Who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth.

Public Domain