Tehillim 124:6 Midrasch: Midrash Tanchuma Buber & Mekhilta d'Rabbi Yishmael

Another interpretation (of Ps. 142:6 [5]): I CRIED UNTO YOU, O LORD. < The verse > speaks about Jacob. When he set out from his father's house, what does it say (in Gen. 28:20)? IF GOD IS WITH ME…. He raised his eyes to the Holy One < and > said (in Ps. 142:6 [5], cont.): YOU ARE MY REFUGE. He said to him (in Gen. 28:15): SEE, I AM WITH YOU…. (Ps. 124:6 [5], cont.:) MY PORTION IN THE LAND OF THE LIVING. Now Jacob was hoping to return to the land of Israel. Jacob said: With permission I went out. If I do not get permission, I am not returning. The Holy One said: Do you want permission? Permission you have. (Gen. 31:3, cont.:) RETURN UNTO THE LAND OF YOUR PARENTS. Did you come for anything but the tribes? See, you have them.

(Exodus 14:30) "and the L rd saved Israel on that day": As a bird held in a man's hand, so that if he pressed its hand but a little he would choke it, as it is written (Psalms 124:6-8) "Our soul (at the splitting of the sea) escaped as from the hunter's snare. The snare broke and we escaped. Our help is in the name of the L rd, Maker of heaven and earth." Or: As a man releasing a fetus from a cow's womb, as it is written (Devarim 4:34) "Or has a G d ever done miracles to come and take for Himself a nation from the midst of a nation, etc."? Why "a nation from the midst of a nation"? __ As a man releasing a fetus from a cow's womb, viz. (Ibid. 20) "and you did the L rd take, and He brought you forth from the iron furnace, etc."