Psalms 123:2

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.

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.

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

  • Total Dependence and Expectation: The imagery of servants and a maiden looking to the hand of their masters or mistresses speaks of absolute reliance. In ancient households, servants would look to their master's hand not only for commands and direction but also for provision, sustenance, and protection. Their very well-being depended on the master's favor. This illustrates the believer's complete reliance on God for all needs.
  • Patient Waiting and Hope: The phrase "so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God" signifies more than just observing; it implies a patient, expectant, and persistent looking. It's a posture of humility and trust, believing that God will act in His perfect timing, even when circumstances seem dire. This waiting is not passive idleness but active trust, much like the renewal of strength for those who wait upon the Lord.
  • The Plea for Mercy: The ultimate goal of this waiting is "until that he have mercy upon us." This highlights the psalmist's recognition that deliverance and help stem from God's gracious compassion, not from human merit. In times of affliction or opposition, the primary appeal is to God's character as merciful and gracious, as often proclaimed in scripture (e.g., Exodus 34:6).

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:

  • Cultivating Dependence: Acknowledging that our resources, wisdom, and strength are limited, and true provision comes from God.
  • Practicing Patience: Trusting God's timing and wisdom, even when answers to prayer seem delayed or situations remain difficult.
  • Crying for Mercy: Remembering that our access to God's help is rooted in His boundless compassion and grace, not our own performance. This verse encourages us to direct our prayers and expectations solely towards Him, knowing that His mercies are new every morning.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.
  • 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.

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