Psalms 123:2

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 123:2 profoundly articulates the posture of absolute dependence and patient, hopeful expectation that the people of God are called to maintain before the Lord. Through the evocative imagery of servants and a maiden looking intently to the hands of their masters and mistresses, the psalmist conveys a deep-seated reliance not only for direction and provision but also for the very sustenance and protection that flows from a benevolent authority. This vivid simile culminates in a fervent plea for divine mercy, underscoring that the ultimate source of deliverance and sustenance for believers is the compassionate intervention of the Sovereign God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 123 is one of the "Songs of Ascents" (Psalms 120-134), a collection likely sung by pilgrims journeying to Jerusalem for the three annual feasts. These psalms often reflect the struggles, hopes, and profound reliance on God experienced by the Jewish people, both individually and corporately, as they made their sacred pilgrimage. Psalm 123 specifically is a communal lament or prayer for mercy. It begins in [Psalm 123:1](/psalms/123-1 "Psalm 123:1 - Lifting Eyes to God") with the psalmist declaring, "Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens," establishing the direct address to God and setting the stage for the intense focus and dependence expressed in verse 2. The entire psalm is a concise cry for God's gracious intervention in the face of contempt and scorn, encapsulating the deep longing for vindication and relief that characterizes many laments in the Psalter.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of servants and a maiden looking to the hand of their masters or mistresses is deeply rooted in the social dynamics of ancient Near Eastern households. In such a setting, servants were entirely dependent on their masters for every aspect of their well-being—food, shelter, protection, and direction. The "hand" of the master was not merely a symbol of authority but the very instrument through which commands were given, provision was dispensed, and discipline or favor was extended. Servants would watch for the slightest gesture or indication of the master's will or intent. This cultural reality underscores a profound, moment-by-moment reliance. For the psalmist and the community, this imagery likely reflected their vulnerable position in the world, perhaps under foreign domination or facing societal disdain, where their only recourse and hope for deliverance was the sovereign "hand" of the LORD, who alone could provide and protect them from the "contempt of the proud" mentioned in [Psalm 123:4](/psalms/123-4 "Psalm 123:4 - The Scorn of the Proud").
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes prevalent in the Psalms and throughout Scripture. Firstly, it highlights **Absolute Dependence**, illustrating that just as a servant's very existence relies on the master's provision and direction, so too does the believer's life and well-being depend entirely on God. This is not a passive reliance but an active, expectant posture, mirroring the call to "cast all your care upon him; for he careth for you" found in [1 Peter 5:7](/1_peter/5-7 "1 Peter 5:7 - Casting All Cares on God"). Secondly, it emphasizes **Patient and Expectant Waiting**, captured by the Hebrew word for "wait," which implies a hopeful, enduring anticipation rather than passive idleness. This waiting is a spiritual discipline, a testament to faith that God will act in His perfect timing, a theme echoed in passages like [Isaiah 40:31](/isaiah/40-31 "Isaiah 40:31 - Renewal for Those Who Wait on the Lord"), promising renewed strength. Finally, the verse culminates in a **Plea for Divine Mercy**, recognizing that deliverance and help are not earned but flow from God's gracious character. This aligns with the biblical understanding that God's compassion is the foundation of His saving acts, as seen in the repeated declarations of His character in [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6 "Exodus 34:6-7 - The Lord's Compassionate Character").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hand (Hebrew, _yad_):** In ancient Hebrew thought, the "hand" (יָד, _yad_) is a rich and multifaceted symbol. It represents not only physical action but also power, authority, provision, protection, and even the very presence or active involvement of a person. When servants look to the "hand" of their masters, they are looking for a gesture of command, a sign of approval, a distribution of food, or an act of defense. It signifies the direct, active agency of the master in their lives. Applied to God, it means looking to His active power for intervention, His authority for direction, and His generous provision for every need.
* **Wait (Hebrew, _yachal_):** The Hebrew verb translated "wait" (יָחַל, _yachal_) is crucial. It signifies more than merely passing time. It carries the connotation of hoping, tarrying, or waiting with eager expectation and endurance. It implies a stretching forth of the soul, a confident and persistent looking forward to divine intervention. This is an active, trusting posture, not passive resignation. It means to cling to hope, to be steadfast in expectation, even when circumstances are difficult or when the desired outcome is delayed. It suggests a deep reliance on God's faithfulness and timing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Behold, as the eyes of servants [look] unto the hand of their masters,"**: This opening clause establishes the primary simile, drawing a parallel to the absolute and moment-by-moment dependence of household servants. Their gaze is fixed on the master's hand, not out of mere curiosity, but out of a vital necessity for guidance, sustenance, and security. It implies a posture of attentiveness, obedience, and complete reliance for their very well-being.
* **"[and] as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress;"**: This second part of the simile reinforces and deepens the first, adding a specific nuance. A maiden, often involved in intimate household tasks, would likewise be acutely attentive to the mistress's hand for instructions, approval, or provision. This parallelism emphasizes the comprehensive and personal nature of the dependence, highlighting that every member of the household, regardless of specific role, looked to the one in authority for their needs.
* **"so our eyes [wait] upon the LORD our God,"**: This is the crucial application of the simile. Just as the servants and maiden depend entirely on their human authorities, so too do the psalmist and the community fix their gaze and hope upon the LORD. The "eyes" here represent their entire being—their attention, trust, hope, and longing. The act of "waiting" (as analyzed above) is an active, hopeful, and patient expectation of God's intervention, acknowledging Him as their ultimate Master and Provider.
* **"until that he have mercy upon us."**: This final clause states the specific object and desired outcome of their patient waiting. The community is not waiting for a command or a general provision, but specifically for God's mercy (חָנַן, _chanan_, "to be gracious, show favor"). This indicates their awareness of their own vulnerability, perhaps their unworthiness, and their absolute need for God's compassionate intervention to alleviate their suffering or deliver them from their adversaries. It is a humble recognition that any help will stem from God's character of grace, not from their own merit.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in Psalms 123:2 is **Simile**. The psalmist uses two distinct but reinforcing comparisons: "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." These earthly, relatable examples vividly illustrate the profound spiritual posture of the community. This double simile emphasizes the comprehensiveness and intensity of the dependence. Furthermore, the verse employs **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous parallelism, where the second part of the simile (maiden/mistress) reiterates and strengthens the first (servants/masters), thereby amplifying the core message of absolute reliance. The entire verse also exhibits a form of **Analogy**, drawing a direct correspondence between human relationships of dependence and the divine-human relationship, making the abstract concept of spiritual reliance tangible and compelling.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 123:2 articulates a foundational theological truth: humanity's utter dependence on God for all things, especially in times of distress. It underscores that true security and hope are found not in human strength, wisdom, or resources, but solely in the sovereign and merciful hand of the Almighty. This posture of waiting with hopeful expectation for God's mercy is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, reflecting a deep understanding of God's character as both powerful and compassionate. It challenges believers to relinquish self-reliance and embrace a humble, persistent trust in God's perfect timing and unfailing grace, knowing that His compassion is the ultimate source of deliverance and blessing.

* [Psalm 27:14](/psalms/27-14 "Psalm 27:14 - Wait on the Lord")
* [Lamentations 3:25-26](/lamentations/3-25 "Lamentations 3:25-26 - The Lord is Good to Those Who Wait")
* [Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world that often champions self-sufficiency and immediate gratification, Psalms 123:2 calls us to a counter-cultural posture of profound dependence and patient waiting upon God. It reminds us that our ultimate source of help, guidance, and deliverance is not found in our own efforts, the approval of others, or the fleeting circumstances of life, but in the unwavering character and compassionate hand of the LORD our God. To fix our eyes upon Him means to consciously surrender our anxieties, our perceived control, and our desire for instant solutions, choosing instead to trust in His perfect timing and His boundless mercy. This active waiting cultivates humility, deepens our faith, and transforms our perspective, enabling us to find peace even amidst scorn or adversity, knowing that our God is attentive to our cries and will act in His perfect love.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you most tempted to rely on your own strength or resources, rather than waiting upon the Lord?**
* **What does "waiting upon the Lord" practically look like in your daily life, especially when facing challenges or delays?**
* **How does understanding God's character as merciful and gracious impact your ability to patiently wait for His intervention?**
* **How can you cultivate a more consistent posture of dependence, fixing your "eyes" (attention, trust, hope) upon God throughout your day?**

### FAQ
**Why does the psalmist use two similar examples (servants/masters and maiden/mistress)?**

Answer: The use of two closely related examples, "servants to their masters" and "a maiden to her mistress," serves to amplify and reinforce the central message of absolute dependence and attentiveness. This **parallelism** ensures the metaphor is deeply impressed upon the listener. It suggests that this posture of reliance is comprehensive, applying to all members of the household regardless of specific role, and by extension, to all people of God. It emphasizes the totality of the dependence and the constant, watchful expectation for guidance, provision, and favor from the one in authority. The double imagery also adds a poetic richness and rhythm, making the truth more memorable and impactful.

**What does "until that he have mercy upon us" imply about the nature of God's help?**

Answer: The phrase "until that he have mercy upon us" highlights that the desired outcome—deliverance from scorn and contempt—is not expected as a right or a result of human merit, but as a gracious act stemming purely from God's compassion. The Hebrew word for "mercy" (חָנַן, _chanan_, to be gracious or show favor) speaks of unmerited favor and compassionate intervention. This implies that God's help is a gift of His grace, freely given to those who humbly acknowledge their need and patiently wait on Him. It underscores that our access to God's help is rooted in His character as a merciful Father, not in our performance or worthiness, aligning with the New Testament truth that we approach the throne of grace to "obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" as described in [Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approaching the Throne of Grace").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 123:2 finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. He is the perfect embodiment of the one who patiently waited upon the Father, demonstrating absolute dependence in every aspect of His earthly ministry. From His baptism, where the Spirit descended upon Him, to His reliance on the Father for daily bread and miraculous power, Jesus lived a life entirely fixed on the "hand" of God. His ultimate act of dependence was in the Garden of Gethsemane, crying out, "Nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done" ([Luke 22:42](/luk/22-42 "Luke 22:42 - Jesus Prays in Gethsemane")). Moreover, Jesus is the very manifestation of God's mercy upon us. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), the ultimate act of divine compassion that delivers humanity from the scorn of sin and death. Through His atoning sacrifice, God's mercy is poured out, and all who fix their eyes on Him, trusting in His finished work, receive not only mercy but also grace to help in time of need ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence")). Thus, our waiting upon the Lord for mercy is answered and fulfilled in the person of Jesus, who perfectly models dependence and perfectly delivers God's saving grace.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.