Psalms 123

Chapter Overview

What happens in Psalms 123

A Song of Ascents. The psalmist lifts his eyes to God in heaven, waiting for mercy like a servant watching the hand of a master. They have endured too much contempt from the proud.

Scripture

Eyes on God

Study note

The psalmist lifts his eyes to God who is enthroned in heaven. Like servants watching their master's hand for instructions, we look to the Lord our God until he shows us mercy.

1 I look up to you, God, the one who sits on the throne of heaven. Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens.

2 Servants watch their master's hand for cues. A maid watches her mistress. In the same way, we keep our eyes on the LORD our God. We wait for him to show us mercy. Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us.

Have Mercy on Us

Study note

Have mercy on us, Lord, for we have endured much contempt. We have endured too much ridicule from the proud and contempt from the arrogant.

3 Be kind to us, LORD, be kind to us! We have put up with so much scorn. Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt.

4 We have been mocked and laughed at by comfortable people who are puffed up with pride. Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud.

Key Themes

Themes in Psalms 123

Eyes lifted to God in heavenWaiting for mercy like a servant watches a masterEnduring contempt from the proudPatient dependence on God

Apply This Today

Living Psalms 123

This psalm pictures a servant watching the master's hand, waiting for the slightest signal. That is the posture of someone who depends entirely on God. When the world pours contempt on you, keep your eyes on God and wait for His mercy. He will not leave you waiting forever.

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