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Psalms 123

World English Bible

WEB

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.

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

Psalms 123 is a heartfelt prayer of dependence and trust in the Lord, expressing the psalmist's longing for divine mercy amidst distress. The chapter begins with the psalmist lifting their eyes to the Lord, symbolizing a posture of humility and reverence. This act of looking up signifies a deep reliance on God, akin to a servant looking to their master for guidance and provision. The repeated phrase, "to You I lift up my eyes," emphasizes the need for God's intervention and support in times of trouble. The psalmist acknowledges that their help comes from the Lord, reinforcing the theme of divine assistance in the face of adversity.

The psalm continues with a plea for mercy, as the psalmist describes the scorn and contempt faced from those who are proud and arrogant. This reflects the broader experience of the faithful who often endure ridicule and oppression from the world. The psalmist's cry for mercy is a reminder of the importance of seeking God's grace in difficult times. Ultimately, Psalms 123 serves as a powerful reminder of the believer's need for God's compassion and the assurance that He hears the cries of His people, encouraging us to remain steadfast in faith despite external challenges.

In summary, Psalms 123 encapsulates the essence of looking to God for help and mercy, highlighting the believer's relationship with the Lord as one of trust and dependence. It calls us to lift our eyes to Him, especially when faced with trials, and to seek His grace in our lives.

#Psalms #TrustInGod #DivineMercy #Prayer

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Referenced by

  1. Nehemiah 4:4v3Nehemiah 4:4 records Nehemiah's prayer for God to hear the reproach of the enemies, similar to the plea in Psalm 123:3-4 for God to have mercy in the face of contempt.
  2. Psalms 121:1-2v1Both passages express a lifting of eyes to the Lord, seeking help and mercy, emphasizing reliance on God as the source of aid and guidance.
  3. Isaiah 33:2v3Isaiah 33:2 is a plea for God's grace and strength, similar to the plea for mercy found in Psalm 123:3, highlighting the dependence on God's favor and intervention.

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