Psalms · Chapter 123

Verse 1. Unto thee lift I up mine eyes] We have no hope but in thee; our eyes look upward; we have expectation from thy mercy alone.

Verses 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 resolving to bear it patiently till thou, our Lord, who dost inflict it, wilt be pleased to show thyself our most gracious God, and in much pity toward us remove it.” — Bishop Patrick. In justification of this interpretation of the bishop, it may be observed that “masters had a power, not only of commanding, but of severely punishing their servants,” and that therefore this looking to the hand, &c., is thought by some “to denote the servant, under chastisement, turning his eyes, and looking to the hand that strikes, and beseeching and importuning for mercy; an argument of a meek, patient, and reforming disposition.” Others, however, rather think it denotes servants looking to their masters for help and defence against their enemies and oppressors. For servants were unable to defend themselves, and were not allowed to wear defensive weapons, but expected and received protection from their masters in case of injury. Accordingly, this phrase, of having one’s eyes toward others, both in this and the other sacred books, constantly signifies the expectation and desire of help from them. And the phrase of God’s having mercy upon a person, generally signifies his mercifully helping and delivering him.

1. Unto thee lift I up mine eyes—See note on Psalm 121:1. “Jehovah our God,” (verse 2,) is the only helper of Israel, and from him alone is relief expected. That dwellest in the heavens—See notes on Psalm 113:4-6.

V. 2. Look-For supply of their wants, and for help and defence against their oppressors. Until-Until he help and save us.

Verse 2. As the eyes of servants] We now wait for thy commands, feeling the utmost readiness to obey them when made known to us. The words may be understood as the language of dependence also. As slaves expect their support from their masters and mistresses; so do we ours from thee, O Lord! Or, As servants look to their masters and mistresses, to see how they do their work, that they may do it in the same way; so do we, O Lord, that we may learn of thee, and do thy work in thy own Spirit, and after thy own method. Some think that there is a reference here to the chastisement of slaves by their masters, who, during the time they are receiving it, keep their eyes fixed on the hand that is inflicting punishment upon them, professing deep sorrow, and entreating for mercy. And this sense seems to be countenanced by the following words:—

Verses 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 resolving to bear it patiently till thou, our Lord, who dost inflict it, wilt be pleased to show thyself our most gracious God, and in much pity toward us remove it.” — Bishop Patrick. In justification of this interpretation of the bishop, it may be observed that “masters had a power, not only of commanding, but of severely punishing their servants,” and that therefore this looking to the hand, &c., is thought by some “to denote the servant, under chastisement, turning his eyes, and looking to the hand that strikes, and beseeching and importuning for mercy; an argument of a meek, patient, and reforming disposition.” Others, however, rather think it denotes servants looking to their masters for help and defence against their enemies and oppressors. For servants were unable to defend themselves, and were not allowed to wear defensive weapons, but expected and received protection from their masters in case of injury. Accordingly, this phrase, of having one’s eyes toward others, both in this and the other sacred books, constantly signifies the expectation and desire of help from them. And the phrase of God’s having mercy upon a person, generally signifies his mercifully helping and delivering him.

2. As the eyes of servants, etc.—The allusion is to the custom of dispensing favours, giving protection, or issuing orders, by the motion of the hand. In India, a man in trouble says, “I will look to the hand of my friend.”—Roberts. “In Egypt everything is done with the greatest decency and the most profound silence, the slaves or servants standing at the bottom of the room, with their hands joined before them, watching with the utmost attention every motion of their master, who commands them by signs.”—Pococke. Ladies are waited on, even at the least wink of their eye or motion of their fingers. This custom prevails all over the East, and this language of signs is frequently alluded to in the prophets. In the present case the hand is looked to for protection; and the waiting attitude is one of submission, trust, and readiness to obey orders, or to receive the token of deliverance.

3, 4. Exceedingly filled—Satiated, overflowed with abundance. Their enemies were at ease, (verse 4;) the word denoting, in its bad sense, those who live carelessly, indifferently as to religion or the sufferings of others, and only for self-gratification: a state of supreme selfishness and worthlessness of character, which, though not in itself expressing overt crime, hardens the soul to all vice and sin. Jeremiah 48:11; Amos 6:1; Zechariah 1:15; comp. Luke 12:19, 20. They were also proud, haughty, which always implies contempt and hard heartedness toward inferiors. These were Israel’s oppressors, who contemned them, trod them under foot, and scorned, or made a jest and derision of them. Thus is it with the world toward the Church, but will not God hear and avenge his elect, who cry unto him day and night?

Verse 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 manner by our masters.

Verses 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.

Verse 4. Those that are at ease] The Babylonians, who, having subdued all the people of the neighbouring nations, lived at ease, had none to contend with them, and now became luxurious, indolent, and insolent: they were contemptuous and proud.

Verses 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.