otcanon
Psalms 123
A short psalm of ascent voicing the posture of a covenant people under sustained contempt from the proud and at-ease. The speaker lifts eyes to Jehovah dwelling in the heavens and grounds all expectation there — not in circumstance or in the favor of men. The servant-to-master image is exact: the hand of the master signals provision and direction; the waiting eye does not wander. The plea is not for vindication against enemies but for mercy from Jehovah, repeated with urgency. Scorning from those who are comfortable is identified as the specific burden — a condition that marks the faithful remnant in every dispensation of hidden preparation.
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.
