Read Psalms 123 in the King James Bible (opens in a new tab)
Psalm 123 is a humble plea for mercy from a servant who looks steadily to the Lord for help. The psalmist describes God’s people as dependent servants, watching their Master’s hand—waiting for His timing, provision, and intervention. It exposes the pain of prolonged contempt: being mocked and despised by the proud and by those “at ease.” Yet instead of answering scorn with scorn, the psalm trains the heart to keep looking upward until God shows compassion. Its purpose is to form steadfast, submissive faith that refuses bitterness and persists in prayer when relief seems delayed.
Psalms 123:1 - 123:4
1 A Song of degrees. Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens.
2 Behold, as the eyes of servants [look] unto the hand of their masters, [and] as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes [wait] upon the Lord our God, until that he have mercy upon us.
3 Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt.
4 Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, [and] with the contempt of the proud.