Psalms 123

Psalm 123#sn Psalm 123. The psalmist, speaking for God’s people, acknowledges his dependence on God in the midst of a crisis.

A song of ascents.#sn The precise significance of this title, which appears in Pss 120-134, is unclear. Perhaps worshipers recited these psalms when they ascended the road to Jerusalem to celebrate annual religious festivals. For a discussion of their background see L. C. Allen, Psalms 101-150 (WBC), 219-21.

1I look up toward you, the one enthroned in heaven.

2Look, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a female servant look to the hand of her mistress, so my eyes will look to the Lord, our God, until he shows us favor.

3Show us favor, O Lord, show us favor! For we have had our fill of humiliation, and then some.

4We have had our fill of the taunts of the self-assured, of the contempt of the proud.