Psalm 123:3

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 123:1-4

We have here, I. The solemn profession which God's people make of faith and hope in God, Ps. 123:1, 2. Observe, 1. The title here given to God: O thou that dwellest in the heavens. Our Lord Jesus has taught us, in prayer, to have an eye to God as our Father in heaven; not that he is confined there, but there especially he manifests his glory, as the King in his court. Heaven is a place of prospect and a place of power; he that dwells there beholds thence all the calamities of his people and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 123:3

Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us ,.... Merit is not pleaded; for, though servants, they knew they were unprofitable ones: but mercy is asked; whether by the awakened sinner, under first convictions, or by the backsliding professor, for forgiveness of sins, under a sense of them, or as under the correcting: and chastising hand of God for them: and which is repeated, to show the state of their case, which requires mercy, and in haste; and the eagerness of their spirit, and the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 123:3

Have mercy upon us, O Lord - Chastise us no more; we will no more revolt against thee. We are exceedingly filled with contempt - We not only suffer grievously from our captivity, but are treated in the most contemptuous maner by our masters. 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 123:1-4

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 123:3

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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 123:3

Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us - The language of earnest pleading, repeating with emphasis the object of the prayer. The supplicants are represented as standing and urging this petition, feeling that help could come only from God; looking only to him; and watching his countenance, as servants do their master’s.For we are exceedingly filled - The Hebrew word used here means to be saturated; to have the appetite fully satisfied - as applied to one who is hungry or thirsty. Then it... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 123:3-4

Psalms 123:3-4 . Have mercy upon us, O Lord O be gracious unto us, and in much mercy help and save us; for we are exceedingly filled with contempt Loaded with opprobrious words and injuries. Our soul is exceedingly filled with the contempt of the proud With the scornful and contemptuous carriage of thine and our enemies, who live in great ease and glory, while we, thy people, are overwhelmed with manifold calamities. read more

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