Psalms 123

The psalmist lifts his eyes to the Lord, who dwells in the heavens, seeking divine intervention. He likens this earnest gaze to servants awaiting their masters' commands, expressing a deep longing for God's mercy. The plea for mercy is urgent, as the people are overwhelmed by the scorn and contempt of the proud and those at ease.

This Psalm of Degrees opens with a direct address to God, whose dwelling is in the heavens, as the psalmist raises his eyes in expectation. The posture of looking to the Lord is vividly compared to servants intently watching the hands of their masters and mistresses, signifying complete dependence and anticipation. This waiting is specifically for the LORD our God to show mercy upon His people. A fervent and repeated supplication for mercy follows, emphasizing the dire state of those praying. The psalmist reveals that their souls are "exceedingly filled with contempt," indicating a profound sense of humiliation and suffering. This contempt stems from the scorning of those who are at ease and the disdain of the proud, highlighting a situation of oppression or social degradation. The entire psalm is a cry for divine compassion in the face of human scorn.

Psalm 123, designated a Song of Degrees, commences with a profound declaration of faith and dependence as the psalmist directs his gaze heavenward. He addresses the Lord, who is described as dwelling in the heavens, signifying divine sovereignty and transcendence. This act of lifting the eyes is not merely observational but an earnest plea, a posture of expectation and supplication. The psalmist employs a vivid double simile to illustrate this dependence: just as servants intently watch the hand of their masters, and a maiden observes her mistress's hand, so too do the eyes of the supplicants wait upon the LORD their God. This comparison underscores a complete reliance on divine authority for guidance, provision, and ultimately, mercy. The central petition of the psalm is a repeated and urgent cry: "Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us." This repetition emphasizes the depth of their distress and the intensity of their need for divine compassion. The reason for this desperate plea is then articulated: "for we are exceedingly filled with contempt." This phrase conveys a profound sense of humiliation, shame, and suffering experienced by the psalmist and his community. The source of this overwhelming contempt is further specified in the final verse. Their souls are described as being "exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud." This indicates that their suffering is not merely internal but is actively inflicted by others—those who are comfortable and arrogant. The psalm thus paints a picture of a people enduring social or spiritual oppression, facing derision from the powerful and complacent. In the face of such external pressures and internal anguish, their sole hope and focus remain fixed on the merciful intervention of the Almighty. The psalm concludes without a resolution, leaving the reader with the ongoing plea for divine mercy amidst human scorn.