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.
Behold, as the eyes {H5869} of servants {H5650} look unto the hand {H3027} of their masters {H113}, and as the eyes {H5869} of a maiden {H8198} unto the hand {H3027} of her mistress {H1404}; so our eyes {H5869} wait upon the LORD {H3068} our God {H430}, until that he have mercy {H2603} upon us.
As a servant looks to the hand of his master, or a slave-girl to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes turn to ADONAI our God, until he has mercy on us.
As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maidservant look to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes are on the LORD our God until He shows us mercy.
Behold, as the eyes of servantslook unto the hand of their master, As the eyes of a maid unto the hand of her mistress; So our eyeslook unto Jehovah our God, Until he have mercy upon us.
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Psalms 130:5
¶ I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. -
Psalms 130:6
My soul [waiteth] for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: [I say, more than] they that watch for the morning. -
Psalms 25:15
¶ Mine eyes [are] ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net. -
Psalms 40:1
¶ To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. -
Psalms 40:3
And he hath put a new song in my mouth, [even] praise unto our God: many shall see [it], and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. -
Lamentations 3:25
The LORD [is] good unto them that wait for him, to the soul [that] seeketh him. -
Lamentations 3:26
[It is] good that [a man] should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.
Psalms 123:2 beautifully illustrates the profound dependence and hopeful expectation of the believer upon God, drawing a vivid parallel from everyday life.
Context
This verse is part of the "Songs of Ascents" (Psalms 120-134), also known as Pilgrim Psalms. These were likely sung by pilgrims as they ascended to Jerusalem for the annual feasts. They often express themes of distress, hope, and reliance on God for deliverance. Psalm 123 specifically is a plea for mercy in the face of scorn and contempt from surrounding nations or adversaries, a common experience for God's people throughout history. The psalmist first lifts their eyes to God in heaven in Psalm 123:1, setting the stage for this deep expression of dependence.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew word translated "wait" in this verse is יָחַל (yachal), which carries the connotation of hoping, tarrying, or waiting with eager expectation. It's not a passive waiting, but an active, hopeful looking forward to divine intervention, underscoring the deep trust placed in God's character and promises.
Practical Application
For believers today, Psalm 123:2 serves as a powerful reminder of where our ultimate hope and help truly lie. In a world full of challenges, uncertainties, and even scorn, we are called to adopt the posture of the servant: eyes fixed on God. This means: