Psalms123
New Living Translation
1 I lift my eyes to you, O God, enthroned in heaven.
2 We keep looking to the Lord our God for his mercy, just as servants keep their eyes on their master, as a slave girl watches her mistress for the slightest signal.
3 Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy, for we have had our fill of contempt.
4 We have had more than our fill of the scoffing of the proud and the contempt of the arrogant.
Study
Psalms 123Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Psalms 123. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Confidence in God under contempt. (1-4).
Key Words
שִׁיר: a song; abstractly, singing
מַעֲלָה: elevation, i.e. the act (literally, a journey to a higher place, figuratively, a thought arising), or (concretely) the condition (literally, a step or grademark, figuratively, a superiority of station); specifically a climactic progression (in certain Psalms)
נָשָׂא: to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
עַיִן: an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
יָשַׁב: properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
שָׁמַיִם: the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies revolve)
הִנֵּה: lo!
עֶבֶד: a servant
יָד: a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),
אָדוֹן: sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine)
Cross References
Psalms 123Direct parallel in the Songs of Ascents concerning lifting up the eyes for divine help.
Supported by JFB
Connects God dwelling in heaven to His transcendent sovereignty over worldly mockers.
Supported by JFB
Uses the identical Hebrew idiom of having eyes ever toward the Lord for deliverance.
Supported by Matthew Poole
A historic fulfillment of God's people praying under extreme contempt and mocking from enemies.
Supported by JFB
Parallels God sitting enthroned on high, contrasting His heavenly majesty with earthly distress.
Supported by JFB
Illustrates the absolute dependence and obedience of servants looking to their masters.
Supported by John Calvin
Expresses eyes failing for God's salvation while pleading as His servant.
Supported by John Calvin
Illustrates the security and arrogant pride of those who are 'at ease'.
Supported by Matthew Poole