Psalms 123

A song of ascents asking God for mercy amid scorn.

Psalms 123 - Eyes Lifted to the Lord

Psalm 123 is a short song of ascents in which the psalmist lifts his eyes to God "that dwellest in the heavens," comparing Israel's watchfulness to a servant's eyes fixed on a master's hand. It pairs naturally with the upward gaze of Psalms 121:1, another ascents psalm that opens by looking to the hills and to the Lord.


A song of degrees. I lift vp mine eyes to thee, that dwellest in the heauens.

Behold, as the eyes of seruants looke vnto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a mayden vnto the hand of her mistres: so our eyes waite vpon the Lord our God vntil he haue mercie vpon vs.

Haue mercie vpon vs, O Lord, haue mercie vpon vs: for we haue suffered too much contempt.

Our soule is filled too full of ye mocking of the wealthy, and of the despitefulnes of the proude.

The chapter closes with a doubled plea, "have mercy upon us," as the psalmist admits Israel is "exceedingly filled with contempt" from those at ease. Explore the surrounding songs of ascent on the <a href="/bible/geneva1599/psalms">Psalms overview</a>, or read on to <a href="/bible/geneva1599/psalms/chapter-124">Psalms 124</a>, where the tone shifts to thanksgiving for rescue.