The Bible — World English Bible
Psalm 123
In brief
Psalm 123, a four-verse song of ascents, rests on one image: eyes fixed on God. The psalmist lifts them to the one who sits in the heavens, as a servant looks to the hand of his master. He waits for the Lord's mercy, because the people are filled with contempt and the scoffing of the proud. The psalm answers with neither anger nor revenge, but with a gaze turned to God and a prayer: have mercy on us.
The chapter in 3 parts
1I 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.
Key verses
I lift up my eyes to you, you who sit in the heavens.
The psalmist lifts his eyes instead of staring at the situation. God sits in the heavens: he is above whatever is crushing you.
Behold, 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.
The servant image speaks of trusting attention: he watches his master's hand to know what to do and waits for what it gives. It speaks not of fear but of dependence.
Have mercy on us, Yahweh, have mercy on us, for we have endured much contempt.
The prayer is short and direct: a plea for mercy, repeated, resting on God's goodness and not on the merits of the people.
Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scoffing of those who are at ease, with the contempt of the proud.
The contempt of the proud wears the soul down. The psalm names it honestly, without playing down the wound.
Bible verses to meditate on
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Frequently asked questions about Psalm 123
What does Psalm 123 mean?
Psalm 123 is the prayer of a despised people who turn their eyes to God and ask for his mercy. The central image is that of the servant waiting for a sign from his master's hand. The psalm says that we wait on God, with trust, for the help people do not give.
Who wrote Psalm 123?
The title simply says it is a song of ascents and names no author. The psalm is written in the first person plural (our eyes, have mercy on us), which suggests it was sung by the community of pilgrims going up to Jerusalem.
How do you pray or meditate on Psalm 123?
Literally lift your eyes or your hands as you read verse 1, as a gesture of attention. Then lay before God the mockery or contempt you have received, without seeking revenge. Slowly repeat the words “Have mercy on us”, applying them to your situation, then wait in silence, like the servant watching his master's hand.
World English Bible translation — public domain.