OUR EYES LOOK TO YOU, LORD
Key verse: 2
NIV
Psalm 123
A song of ascents.
1 I lift up my eyes to you,
to you who sit enthroned(A) in heaven.
2 As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master,
as the eyes of a female slave look to the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes look to the Lord(B) our God,
till he shows us his mercy.
3 Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us,
for we have endured no end of contempt.
4 We have endured no end
of ridicule from the arrogant,
of contempt from the proud.
Cross references
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway
ESV
Our Eyes Look to the Lord Our God
A Song of (A)Ascents.123 To you I (B)lift up my eyes,
O you who are (C)enthroned in the heavens!
2 Behold, as the eyes of servants
look to the hand of their master,
as the eyes of a maidservant
to the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes look to the Lord our God,
till he has mercy upon us.
3 (D)Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us,
for we have had more than enough of (E)contempt.
4 Our soul has had more than enough
of (F)the scorn of (G)those who are at ease,
of the contempt of (H)the proud.
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123 To you I (B)lift up my eyes,
O you who are (C)enthroned in the heavens!
2 Behold, as the eyes of servants
look to the hand of their master,
as the eyes of a maidservant
to the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes look to the Lord our God,
till he has mercy upon us.
3 (D)Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us,
for we have had more than enough of (E)contempt.
4 Our soul has had more than enough
of (F)the scorn of (G)those who are at ease,
of the contempt of (H)the proud.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
The psalmist looks to God who is enthroned in heaven. He looks to the hand of God the same way a slave or servant looks to their master’s hand for provision, direction, and action. The Master is in the place of power and provision. God is our Provider, Director, and Defender.
The psalmist represents God’s people praying for mercy. Arrogant, proud people are treating them with contempt and ridicule. God’s faithful people are often criticized and ridiculed by worldly unbelievers who mock their faith and their devotion to God. Yet the psalmist waits with expectation for God’s help and mercy. Are you in a difficult situation? Ask and wait for God’s mercy.
Prayer: LORD, you are my Provider, Counselor, and Protector. I look to you for your mercy and help. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
One Word: Look to the LORD for mercy and help
