Listen to The Bible:
KJV
Watch Bible video:
KJV

Spread the word and...






Psalms 123

Pslm 123, Ps 123, Psa 123, Psm 123, Pss 123


Psalms 123

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

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

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

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

If you would like to listen for free to MP3 audio version of this chapter, or any other chapter from The Book of Psalms KJV, please click the button below.



Summary and the Meaning of Psalm 123

Psalm 123 is a brief yet profound psalm in the Biblical Book of Psalms. This psalm, composed of only four verses, is a part of the collection of fifteen psalms known as the "Songs of Ascents" (Psalms 120-134). These psalms were traditionally sung by the Israelites as they journeyed to Jerusalem for the three major annual festivals. Psalm 123 is a prayer of an individual or a community in distress, looking to God for mercy and deliverance.

The main themes of Psalm 123 include dependence on God, prayer for mercy, and the hope for deliverance from contempt and scorn. These themes are expressed through the use of vivid metaphors and a sincere plea for divine intervention. The psalmist depicts his absolute dependence on God by comparing himself to a servant looking to his master for provision and protection, and to a maid looking to her mistress for direction and favor. This psalm brings out the meaning of total reliance on God in times of trouble and the assurance of His mercy for those who humbly seek Him.

Dependence on God

The first theme that stands out in Psalm 123 is the psalmist's complete dependence on God. This dependence is expressed through the metaphor of a servant looking to his master and a maid to her mistress. Just as servants depend on their masters and maids on their mistresses for their daily needs, so does the psalmist depend on God. This metaphor signifies the psalmist's recognition of his position before God - a position of humility, submission, and dependence. It also implies trust, as a servant trusts in his master's provision and protection.

This dependence on God is not born out of compulsion or fear, but out of a deep sense of trust and faith. The psalmist acknowledges his utter helplessness and realizes that his only source of help and hope is God. This theme of dependence on God is a recurring one in the book of Psalms and is a fundamental aspect of the biblical understanding of the relationship between God and man.

Prayer for Mercy

The second theme evident in Psalm 123 is the psalmist's plea for mercy. The psalmist cries out to God, "Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us" (Psalm 123:3, KJV). The repetition of this plea signifies the intensity of the psalmist's distress and his desperate need for God's intervention.

The plea for mercy is a common theme in the Psalms and is often associated with situations of distress, persecution, or sin. In this case, the psalmist may be experiencing persecution or scorn from those who are proud and arrogant. Whatever the specific situation, the psalmist recognizes that his only hope for deliverance is in the mercy of God.

The plea for mercy also reveals the psalmist's understanding of God as a compassionate and merciful God. He believes that God is not indifferent to his plight but is willing and able to deliver him. This belief is grounded in the psalmist's personal experience of God's mercy and in the biblical revelation of God's character.

Hope for Deliverance from Contempt and Scorn

The third theme of Psalm 123 is the hope for deliverance from contempt and scorn. The psalmist laments that he has had more than enough of contempt and the scorn of the arrogant (Psalm 123:3-4). This could be a reference to the ridicule and persecution that the psalmist, or the community he represents, is experiencing from those who are proud and arrogant.

Despite the distressing situation, the psalmist does not lose hope. He looks to God for deliverance, believing that God will come to his aid. His hope is not based on his own strength or ability, but on God's mercy and power. This hope is not a mere wishful thinking, but a confident expectation based on the character and promises of God.

The hope for deliverance from contempt and scorn is a powerful message for all who are facing ridicule, persecution, or any form of distress. It assures them that God hears their cries, understands their plight, and is ready to deliver them in His mercy and power. It encourages them to look to God in faith, to cry out to Him for mercy, and to wait for His deliverance with confident hope.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Psalm 123 is a profound expression of dependence on God, a desperate plea for mercy, and a confident hope for deliverance from contempt and scorn. It teaches us the importance of humbling ourselves before God, recognizing our utter dependence on Him, and crying out to Him for mercy in times of distress. It also assures us of God's compassion and mercy and encourages us to hope in His deliverance.

This psalm is as relevant today as it was when it was first written. It speaks to all who are in distress, reminding them of their dependence on God, encouraging them to cry out to Him for mercy, and assuring them of His readiness to deliver them. It is a psalm of hope and assurance, a psalm that lifts up the downtrodden and brings comfort to the distressed.

May we, like the psalmist, learn to look to God in our distress, to cry out to Him for mercy, and to hope in His deliverance. May we also learn to trust in His mercy and to rest in His love, knowing that He is our refuge and our strength, our very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).



This article is informed by the King James Version of the Holy Bible, the authors' personal knowledge, considerations and experience, and additional materials and resources available in internet.

Share this page

Holy-Bible.online
© 2018 - 2024

x