Psalm 123

(New Living Translation)
A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.

Author: Unknown. Some suggest Hezekiah.

1 I lift my eyes to you,
O God, enthroned in heaven.
2 We keep looking to the Lord our God for his mercy,
just as servants keep their eyes on their master,
as a slave girl watches her mistress for the slightest signal.
3 Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy,
for we have had our fill of contempt.
4 We have had more than our fill of the scoffing of the proud
and the contempt of the arrogant.


What picture comes to your mind when you read this psalm? Stop a while and imagine how the scene may look, when a servant who has suffered injustice, or maybe done something wrong, looks to his master for mercy, for a kind word, for help.

The scene here describes how the pilgrims (remember they are on a journey of ascent to the Lord’s temple) suffer contempt from their enemies as they press in to the Lord. The important thing for us to learn is that the pilgrims continue to look to the Lord for help, for mercy.

We are taught to go to God in prayer when we are in trouble. However many times that is only something we know but do not do. “The Message” translates this psalm - “like servants, alert to their master’s commands… We're watching and waiting, holding our breath, awaiting your word of mercy. Can you sense the desperation mingled with hope and trust? Such words of expectation and faith, as if every word and command from God will deliver us from certain death, which in fact, is true!

When we are in trouble, we are to look to God for the help He has promised. Looking for that daily bread, that grace that is sufficient, that protection. Where can we look for help except our Master? Those of the world will look to the world for help, but our help is in God who is enthroned in heaven.

Little mercy and comfort is found in the world. Our Saviour Jesus Christ was scorned and rejected. Why should we as followers complain when we encounter pain and suffering as if our Lord does not understand? When you are weighed by troubles and worries, in faith, cast your cares upon Him and look to Him as servants to their master.

O what peace we often forfeit
O what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer

Apply this:
Reflect on the words of the song “What a friend we have in Jesus”. Find comfort as you sing and worship the Lord with the song.