If God Had Not Been on Our Side
If God had not been on our side
If God Had Not Been on Our Side is a hymn text by Martin Luther (1524) in L.M. meter. Translated by Composite English translation. Found in CW21 866, CW93 202, ELH 396, elw 714. Sung to NUN FREUT EUCH.
This hymn exemplifies Luther's catechetical approach to Scripture, using the first-person plural to unite the congregation in acknowledgment of God's protective sovereignty against spiritual and temporal adversaries. The text reinforces the Reformation emphasis on sola gratia—salvation and deliverance depend entirely on God's initiative.
History & Background
Luther's metrical paraphrase of Psalm 124 was published in his 1524 hymnal, reflecting his translation theology and desire to make Scripture accessible through song. The English version developed through various 19th-century translations and adaptations.
Hymnal Appearances
- Christian Worship: Hymnal — 866
- Christian Worship — 202
- Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 396
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 714
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 307
- Lutheran Service Book — 656
- Lutheran Worship — 262
- New Century Hymnal — 408
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 267
- Voices Together — 136
Translation
Bulletin Note
Luther's 1524 paraphrase of Psalm 124, sung in the Reformation as a battle hymn of faith. The tune NUN FREUT EUCH unites this text with Luther's great Easter hymn, binding protection and resurrection in one melody.
Preaching Connection
This hymn transforms the Law's exposure of human helplessness into the Gospel's joyful proclamation that God's grace—not our vigilance—is our true defense.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law to Gospel: human sinfulness and bondage under Satan → God's mercy in Christ → Christ's substitutionary atonement → faith's response and eschatological hope
Background Research
TLH 267. "Wär Gott nicht mit uns diese Zeit", Luther's paraphrase of Psalm 124: three 7-line stanzas, first printed in Walter's Geystliche gesangk Buchleyn (1524). Its first tune (Zahn 4434, Dorian) was shared with Justus Jonas's 8-stanza paraphrase of the same psalm, "Wo Gott der Herr nicht bei uns hält". Walter's own tune (Zahn 4435) appeared in 1537 and became standard; this matches TLH's 1537 tune source. Buxtehude wrote a chorale cantata on it (BuxWV 102), and Bach wrote BWV 14 (1725, 4th Sunday after Epiphany). Today's German EG 297 mixes stanzas from Luther and Jonas (Wikipedia).
In the Church Year
Suggested in the one-year series
- Easter 7 (1×)
From LCMS Worship's published hymn suggestions, 2014–2026. The count is how many of those yearly lists suggested this hymn for that day.
Overview
Luther's paraphrase of Psalm 124. If God had not been for us, the enemies would have swallowed us (st. 1), like a pit or a flood (st. 2); but blessed be the Lord — like birds we escaped the fowler's net; the snare is broken, and our help is in the Lord who made heaven and earth (st. 3). The final line is the psalm's verse used at the opening of many Lutheran services (Ps 124:8).
Central theme: Deliverance owed entirely to God: without him the Church would be swallowed; with him the snare is broken
Structure
Three seven-line stanzas (8.7.8.7.8.8.7) following Ps 124: the 'if' (1) — the flood (2) — escape and praise (3).
Law & Gospel Shape
Law: the enemy's wrath, the pit, the flood (1-2). Gospel: 'The snare is broken—we are free! Our help is ever, Lord, in Thee' (3).
Confessional Connections
Ps 124 (TLH's text). The Church's survival is entirely God's doing — 'If it had not been the LORD who was on our side' (Ps 124:1); 'If God is for us, who can be against us?' (Rom 8:31). This is monergism applied to the Church's history: no credit to our strength (FC II; AC VII.1: the Church will remain forever). 'Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth' (Ps 124:8) — the adjutorium used in Lutheran orders for Confession and Matins.
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Reformation; thanksgiving for deliverance; national crises.
Historical Notes
Written 1524, published in Walter's Geystliche gesangk Buchleyn (1524). TLH's tune source is the Wittenberg Gesangbuch of 1537.
About the Tune
WÄR GOTT NICHT MIT UNS (Gesangbuch, Wittenberg, 1537).
Scripture References
Ps 124:1-8 Rom 8:31 Ps 69:1-2 Ps 40:2 Ps 91:3 Gal 5:1 Ps 121:2
Stanza by Stanza
If God had not been on our side and come to help us, our enemies with all their power and pride would surely have overwhelmed us; for we, his flock, would have to fear the threats of people near and far who rise up powerfully against us.
'If it had not been the LORD who was on our side… when people rose up against us' (Ps 124:1-2). 'If God is for us, who can be against us?' (Rom 8:31).
- Scripture
- Ps 124:1-2, Rom 8:31
- Imagery & language
- God on our side; foes; flock.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — the enemies' power; Gospel — God's help.
- Connection to previous
- If God…
If God allowed it, their furious anger would surely have consumed us and, like a deep, gaping pit, buried us body and life. Like people over whom dark waters roll, their wrath would have swallowed our soul and overwhelmed us like a flood.
'They would have swallowed us up alive… the flood would have swept us away, the torrent would have gone over us' (Ps 124:3-5). 'The waters have come up to my neck' (Ps 69:1).
- Scripture
- Ps 124:3-5, Ps 69:1-2, Ps 40:2
- Imagery & language
- Wrath; pit; dark waters; flood.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — the threat.
- Connection to previous
- The flood.
Blessed be the Lord, who defeated their threat so they could not devour us; like birds, our souls escaped their net; they could not overpower us. The snare is broken — we are free! Our help is always in you, Lord, who made earth and heaven.
'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! Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth' (Ps 124:6-8).
- Scripture
- Ps 124:6-8, Ps 91:3, Gal 5:1, Ps 121:2
- Imagery & language
- Blest be the Lord; birds; snare broken; help.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — deliverance.
- Connection to previous
- Snare broken.
Themes
God's protection and providence Deliverance from enemies Trust in divine aid Corporate confidence in God