INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 123 A SONG OF DEGREES. This psalm is not thought to be written by David, but by some other person in later times; and at a time, as is clear, when the people of God were much exposed to the scorn and contempt of men. Dr. Patrick thinks it was written by some pious person; perh... [ Continue Reading ]
UNTO THEE LIFT I UP MINE EYES,.... Not only the eyes of his body, this being a prayer gesture; see Matthew 14:19; but the eyes of his mind and understanding, opened by the Spirit of God; particularly the eye of faith, by which he looked for and expected help and salvation from the Lord. The phrase i... [ Continue Reading ]
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,.... To direct them in their work and business, to point out unto them what they shall do; which is often done by a motion of the hand of the master or mistress, or rap... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVE MERCY UPON US, O LORD, HAVE MERCY UPON US,.... Merit is not pleaded; for, though servants, they knew they were unprofitable ones: but mercy is asked; whether by the awakened sinner, under first convictions, or by the backsliding professor, for forgiveness of sins, under a sense of them, or as u... [ Continue Reading ]
OUR SOUL IS EXCEEDINGLY FILLED WITH THE SCORNING OF THOSE THAT ARE AT EASE,.... That are in easy and affluent circumstances; abound in the things of this world, and have more than heart can wish; have no outward trouble, as other men, or as the saints have; nor any uneasiness of mind, on account of... [ Continue Reading ]