Old Testament
Psalms 123
Overview
A short communal lament that lifts the eyes upward to the LORD enthroned in the heavens. Like a servant watching the master's hand, the people wait for God to show mercy, for they have endured more than enough scorn and contempt from the proud. The whole psalm is one sustained gaze of dependence, pleading "have mercy on us" until grace comes.
1A Song of Ascents. I lift up my eyes to you, you who sit in the heavens.
2Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to Yahweh, our God, until he has mercy on us.
3Have mercy on us, Yahweh, have mercy on us, for we have endured much contempt.
4Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scoffing of those who are at ease, with the contempt of the proud.