Psalm 123:1-2 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 123:1-4

The ultimate Refuge. "Unto thee lift I up mine eyes," etc. "This psalm," says J. J. S. Perowne, "is either the sigh of the exile towards the close of the Captivity, looking in faith and patience for the deliverance which he hoped was now at hand; or the sigh of those who, having returned, were still exposed to the scorn and contempt of the Samaritans and others who harassed and insulted the Jews." God was their Refuge from such men, as he is the ultimate Refuge from all the ills and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 123:2

Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters. Watch, i . e ; for the slightest sign that he may give of his will. Such signs were usually given by some movement of the "hand." And as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress. Masters were waited on by male slaves; their wives by handmaids—both equally anxious to do their will, and therefore equally watchful of all the signs that indicated it. So our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until that he have... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 123:2

Watching for Divine favor and direction. In the East orders are rarely given to an attendant in words, but commonly by signs. These are often so slight as to escape notice unless the eyes of the servants are kept fixed on the master or mistress. When waiting upon his master, the servant stands upon the farthest edge of the raised platform, having left his shoes at the door; his hands are folded, and rest upon the center of his girdle; and he watches closely every movement of his master,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 123:1

Unto thee - To God.Lift I up mine eyes - In supplication and prayer. Nature prompts us to look up when we address God, as if he dwelt above us. It is the natural prompting of the heart that he must be the most exalted of all beings, dwelling above all. See Psalms 121:1.O thou that dwellest in the heavens - Whose home - whose special home - is in heaven - above the sky. This is in accordance with the common feelings of people, and the common description of God in the Bible, though it is true... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 123:2

Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters ... - Or, are to the hands of their masters; or, regard the hands of their masters. That is, we look to God with the same spirit of deference, dependence, and readiness to mark the will of God, which is evinced by servants in regard to their masters, and by maidens in regard to the will of a mistress. There has been some difference of view in regard to the meaning of this comparison. Some have supposed that the allusion is to... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 123:1-2

Psalms 123:1-2. Unto thee lift I up mine eyes Though all human help fail us in this sore distress, yet I do not despair of relief from thee; O thou that dwellest in the heavens Whose majesty and power incomparably excel those of all earthly monarchs. Behold, as the eyes of servants, &c. “Behold how not only I, but the rest of thy faithful people wait upon thee, submitting ourselves to this severe punishment, as poor slaves do to the stroke of their offended master or mistress, and... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 123:1-4

Psalms 120-124 To Jerusalem for worshipEach of the fifteen Psalms 120:0 to 134 is entitled ‘A Song of Ascents’ (RSV; NIV). These psalms were apparently sung by worshippers from the country areas as they made the journey up to Jerusalem for the various annual festivals.Whether or not the psalms were written for this purpose, they have been arranged in a sequence that reflects the feelings of the travellers. They provide expressions of worship for the travellers as they set out from distant... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 123:1

Title. A Song, &c. Same as Psalms 120:1 . dwellest in the heavens. The reference is to 2 Kings 19:16 and Isaiah 37:16 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 123:2

Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 . as. Figure of speech Simile. App-6 . the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 . God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 . have mercy = Be gracious. Figure of speech Anaphora . App-6 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Psalms 123:1

PSALM 123UNTO THEE DO I LIFT UP MINE EYESPsalms 121 has, "I will lift up mine eyes unto the mountains"; but this finds the singer lifting up his eyes unto God himself.Psalms 123:1-4THE TEXT OF THE PSALM"Unto thee do I lift up mine eyes,O thou that sittest in the heavens.Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their master,As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress;So our eyes look unto Jehovah our God,Until he have mercy upon us.Have mercy upon us, O Jehovah, have mercy... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 123:1-4

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 123:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 123:2

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 123:1

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 123:2

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 123:1-2

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 123:1-4

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 123:1

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 123:2

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Psalms 123:1

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