Psalms 123:1-4

Psalms 123

DESCRIPTIVE TITLE

The King's Response to the Injunction to Lift up his Eyes as High as Heaven.

ANALYSIS

Stanza I., Psalms 123:1, An Individualistic Couplet by way of Response to the Exhortation in Psalms 121:2. Stanza II., Psalms 123:2, Israel unites in getting into an Attitude of Earnest Waiting on Jehovah; which, in Stanza III., Psalms 123:3-4, Finds expression in Importunate Entreaty.

(Lm.) Song of the Steps.

1

Unto thee have I uplifted mine eyes,

O thou who art enthroned in the heavens!

2

Lo! as the eyes of menservants unto the hand of their lord,

as the eyes of a maidservant unto the hand of her lady

So our eyes are unto Jehovah our God,
until that he be gracious unto us.

3

Be gracious unto us O Jehovah be gracious unto us,

for greatly are we sated with contempt:

4

Exceedingly sated on her part is our soul[739]

[739] Cp. Intro., Chap. III., Soul.

with the scorn of the arrogant,

the contempt of the proudest oppressors.

(Nm.)

PARAPHRASE

Psalms 123

O God enthroned in heaven, I lift my eyes to You.
2 We look to Jehovah our God for His mercy and kindness just as a servant keeps his eyes upon his master or a slave girl watches her mistress for the slightest signal.
3, 4 Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy. For we have had our fill of contempt and of the scoffing of the rich and proud.

EXPOSITION

Most naturally, King Hezekiah, who is a skilful leader in psalmody as well as a worthy example of devotion, leads off this psalm; which comes out well as a Response to the Assurance in Psalms 121:2Help is from Jehovahmaker of heaven and earth.

The second verse gathers up into congregational expression a representation of a waiting and watching attitude towards Jehovah which is at once homely, beautiful and suggestive. These worshippers, though on earth, are led to regard themselves as attendants in presence of their Heavenly King; full in his view; awaiting his pleasure. As personal attendants await in silence the slightest expression of the will of their superior; watching the pointing finger which says Go, the open palm which says Bring, the beckoning movement which says Come; so, says the psalmist, even with such profound respect and watchful attention are our eyes unto Jehovah our God, until that he be gracious unto us. Surely, a comparison as suggestive as it is beautiful. Such servants know their master's or mistress's waysthe meaning of each familiar gesture. They need no loud word of formal command: all they require is, to catch the slightest hint of the superior's WILL as the sufficient signal for obedience. And so, the least word from Isaiah for instance, would be intimation enough for both the King and his people:without (say) going to the Pentateuch, or to Mount Sinai, for a formal Thus saith the Lord.

This adjustment of the mental attitude of the worshipping nation towards Jehovah is then at once merged in importunate entreaty. The plea is pointedly putBe gracious unto us, O Jehovah,and emphatically repeatedbe gracious unto us; and then weighted with a reason: for greatly are we sated with contempt. Oh! we have had enough of this vile and blaspheming Rabshakeh and his imperious master. We all know the story. Fancy the foreigner on our own soil; and ourselves at the time in certain and miraculously attested covenant relation with the Maker of heaven and earth! and should we not have importuned our God in some such strains as these?

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

1.

This is a response psalm; a response to what?

2.

A beautiful court scene is here giveni.e. a scene in the court of King Jehovah. What is involved?

3.

How beautifully is obedience to God here suggested. Discuss.

4.

What is meant by the phrase ... greatly are we sated with contempt?