1I lift up my eyes to You, to You who are enthroned in heaven. 2 As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master,
and as the eyes of a maid look to the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes look to the LORD our God, until He has mercy on us.3 Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy on us, for we have endured much contempt.4 We have endured much scorning from the arrogant, and much contempt from the proud.
About Psalms Chapter 123
Book V · Psalms 107–150 — Thanksgiving, pilgrimage, God’s word and praise
What happens
With the eyes of servants fixed upon their master, the community looks to the LORD for mercy. It has endured more than enough contempt from the proud and asks for compassionate relief.
Why it matters
Faithful prayer can consist of patient attention to God when words are few. The psalm gives dignity to the despised and teaches dependence on His mercy.
Key verse
“As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, and as the eyes of a maid look to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, until He has mercy on us.”
