The Book of Psalms

Psalm 123

Psalm CXXIII · Vol. II, p. 1069

1 The godly profess their confidence in God, 3 and pray to be delivered from contempt.

Margin referencesNotes ↓

^aA song of degrees.

1 Unto thee^b lift I up mine eyes,¹ O thou that dwellest in the heavens.

B.C. cir. 1021.

a Ps.cxx.-cxxxiv. titles.

b Ps.121.1; 25.15; 115.3. Is.66.1. Mat.14.19; 6.9. Jn.11.41; 17.1. Ec.5.2.

1 The speaker is the

A.M. cir. 2983. B.C. cir. 1021.

1 same as in the former psalm—the Lord interceding for his church. Compare with Ps.cxxi.—C.

2 Behold, ^cas the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; ^dso our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us.

c Pr.31.15. Job 7.2.

d Ge.49.18; 32.26. Ps.119.81; 71.14; 62.1,5. Lu.18.1,7.

3 Have^e mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt.²

e Ps.56.1; 57.1; 69.13,16; 88.3; 89.50,51; 79.4. 44.13,14.

2 'We have been scorned—men have treated us with contempt, because of our devotion to thee, and our attachment to thy worship.'—P.

4 Our^g soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud.

g 2 Sa.6.20. Ne.4.2. Lu.16.14. Ps.119.21; 10.2. Job 12.5. Pr.21.24.

Notes

Ver. 2. In several eastern countries, masters and mistresses call their servants by clapping the hands; and direct them in their work by signs, often imperceptible to strangers. Some interpreters think the verse refers to servants condemned to punishment, and watching for a sign of mitigation or forgiveness. C.

Reflections.—In what a humble, resigned, and obedient temper, and with what earnestness, ought we to look up to God for help and deliverance. While his great mercy encourages us, our great contempt and trouble should drive us to his throne of grace, and oblige us to wait upon him till he grant our requests.