Psalm 123:1-4

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 123:2

Verse 2 2.Behold as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters. This similitude is very suitable to the present case. It implies that without the protection of God true believers have no comfort, are completely disarmed and exposed to all manner of wrongs, have neither strength nor courage to resist; in short, that their safety depends entirely upon aid derived from another. We know how shamefully servants were treated in ancient times, and what reproaches might be cast upon them,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 123:3

Verse 3 3.Have mercy upon us, O Jehovah! etc. The Psalmist prosecutes and confirms the preceding doctrine. He had said that the godly, finding themselves utterly broken in spirit and cast down, intently directed their eyes to the hand of God: now he adds that they are filled with reproach. From this we learn that the wicked not only assaulted them by such ways of violence as suggested themselves to their minds, but that by their mockery they as it were trampled under foot the children of God.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 123:1

Unto thee lift I up mine eyes (comp. Psalms 121:1 , where the psalmist "lifted up his eyes" to God's dwelling-place). Now the expression is bolder. The eyes are lifted up to God himself. Oh thou that dwellest in the heavens (comp. Psalms 2:4 ; Psalms 11:4 ; Isaiah 57:15 ; Isaiah 66:1 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 123:1

Our uplook to God. This is the characteristic possibility for humanity. The cattle have no uplooking eyes, and no yearning hearts to find expression by uplooking eyes. Man can look up, pierce the veil of sense, and see the unseen, and realize relations with the Divine. Indeed, he is not himself until he does. But to get the fixed uplook often is, and may well be, the issue of a lifelong moral discipline. The need for turning to God comes out of distressed earthly conditions. The restored... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 123:1-4

Unto thee lift I up mine eyes. These psalms are called "Songs of Degrees." For some thought that they were sung on the steps that led from one court to another in the temple of the Lord, and so they were called the songs of degrees, or steps. But though this explanation has been long abandoned, nevertheless, in these psalms, thus far, there has been an ascent as from step to step. See the sadness of the first of them ( Psalms 120:1-7 .). That rises to trust in the blessed keeping of God.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 123:3

Have mercy upon us, O Lord; have mercy upon us . The cry is repeated for greater emphasis. For we are exceedingly filled with contempt. This expression can scarcely be said to fix the date of the psalm, since hatred and contempt were the usual feelings wherewith the Jews were regarded by their neighbors. But the time of Nehemiah would certainly be no unsuitable date (see Nehemiah 4:4 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 123:3-4

Contempt a sore trial. The returned exiles found the contemptuous treatment of their neighbors the hardest thing to bear. Contempt is always hard to bear; but it is hardest to bear when we have an inward and painful conviction that we are so weak and poor that the contempt is in no way unreasonable. Those are just the times when we want a kindly word and a sign of confidence and hope, and then we feel most deeply if, instead, we are scorned, made a laughing-stock, and disheartened. That... read more

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