Psalm 123 (GOD’S WORD Translation)

Psalm 123 (GOD’S WORD Translation)

Psalm 123

A song for going up to worship.

1I look up to you,
to the one who sits enthroned in heaven.

2As servants depend on their masters,
as a maid depends on her mistress,
so we depend on the Lord our God
until he has pity on us.

3Have pity on us, O Lord.
Have pity on us
because we have suffered more than our share of contempt.

4We have suffered more than our share of ridicule
from those who are carefree.
We have suffered more than our share of contempt
from those who are arrogant.

I love this Psalm, I have come back to it over and over again this last year.

Our Father has had more than pity on us. He has blessed us with the Grace of "To Him I will be a Father and He will be to me a Son.

In Christ: Phillip

In looking to the High and Lofty One
Who inhabits eternity; our hearts and
voices are raised in ceaseless adoration
and thankful praise !!

I love this Psalm, I have come back to it over and over again this last year

Do you mind sharing a bit about what's going on with you that this keeps coming back up?

I've read this over before but it really hit me last night. kind of came alive. The timing was good.

The Lord is watching, and He knows my every need. Thankfully. He is utmostly praise worthy.
michelle

I actually am used to my KJV of it so my comments will be based more of how the things are worded there.

The first two verses reflect a deep longing in my life to only have eyes that look to what God is doing, or what his desire is. And like a servant, when I perceive his desire I would rush to do it.

A couple years ago, my wife and I were up in Seattle to see the dead sea scrolls at the art institute there. The night before we went to go see it we splurged for our anniversary and went out to a REALLY NICE dinner. The restaurant was far more posh than I am used to eating in but was a good experience. One thing that happened there that I will never forget was a waiter kind of in a darker corner of the establishment whose only job was to make sure no one ever ran out of water on any table. The weird thing was that he was so stealthy about it. You almost never even noticed that your water cup had been filled. I am not sure how he did it. But this passage reminds me of that guy.

It seems to me that a bit of the implication is that the servants eyes are looking at the eyes of their master to just see where his eyes would gaze. They then perceive what he wants and they rush to do it. They do not want Him to be angry with them. They want his mercy above all things.

The last two verses are a sentiment I can only say that I share. I think I know what they mean by being filled with contempt. I have never experienced persecution like many of our brothers have, but I most certainly have had contempt directed my way. Some of that contempt is justified, and some of it is because of Jesus. I would rather more of the latter than the former, but I think what they are concerned about in this Psalm is the contempt from others because of their personal desire to please God and to do his will.

Have you ever taken a stand for righteousness about something (with the right attitude, not a condemning one) and get that look from a friend or a brother you care about deeply? They just look at you with such disdain, such scorn. It is just flat out tiring some times.

When I read this Psalm I am comforted in knowing that others have felt the same way. And I will still look to the Lord. I will still lift my eyes to him and will be despicable in the eyes of the world. I am glad to know this all will have an end some day though.

Unto thee do I lift up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens. 2 Behold, as the eyes of servants [look] unto the hand of their masters, as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress, so our eyes [are directed] to Jehovah our God, until he be gracious unto us.
Psalms 123:1-2 (Darby)
The bracketed words are not in the original text.
David's eyes were unto the hand of the Lord. He saw the Lord's hand (not His eyes) in his life and experience, guiding him, strengthening him, and at one point holding a sword above him.

But when Jesus came into the world, there was the hand of the Lord Himself.
Touching:
2 And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. 3 And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. Matt 8:2-3 (KJV)
Saving;
But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? Matt 14:30-31 (KJV)
Leading and healing:
23 And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought. Mark 8:23 (KJV)

This is what John testified to in His first letter;
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;......... 3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. 1 John 1:1-4 (KJV)

And for us: we are in His and the Father's hand:
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. 30 I and my Father are one. John 10:27-30 (KJV)

He has already been gracious unto us