Introduction:

Where and what do we usually turn for consolation when life seems to be conspiring against us? Why?

What mood does the writer depict – is it one of distress, trust, or joy?

Psalm 123 is a psalm about seeking mercy from God. In verses 1-2, the idea of “seeing” is introduced, with the word “eyes” appearing four times. The concept of mercy is  introduced at the conclusion of verse two and continues through verses 3-4, where the word “mercy” appears three times. Another psalm recited by pilgrims on their route to Jerusalem at the feast is this one. These songs provide a framework for being ready to meet with God and His people.
This Psalm is an excellent example of how the power of prayer emerges from fervor rather than a large number of words. Every prayer is lengthy enough if it is sincere and comes from a heart that recognizes the importance.

The psalmist addresses God as “you who are enthroned in heaven” in verse 1. What contribution does that description make to the psalmist’s plea? What does that say about his attitude toward God?

How should we, as God’s servants, regard our master?

What characterizes your relationship with God?

The psalmist’s motivation has been defined in verses 3 through 4. What is it that he desires from the Lord? Why? What are other people doing to the psalmist, and how does this affect him? Are you able to empathize with his plight?

We frequently think of religion as a distant, curiously operated bureaucracy to whom we turn for help when we need it. We proceed to a nearby branch office and tell the clerk (also known as a pastor) to fill out our God order. Then we go home and wait for God to be given to us in accordance with our demands.” Is this correct? What are your thoughts on the matter?

Have you ever been mocked because of your faith? What are your thoughts on this? What do you suppose it’s like for believers who are being persecuted for their faith in Jesus? What can/should we do?
What is your perspective on God, and how does it differ from the psalmist’s? What is his comparison between man and God? What’s the difference between you and God?
What conclusions do you get from comparing between you and God? Are you certain that God is on your side? If so, what’s the reasoning behind it? Why not, if not?
What would total dependence on God be like in your particular situation? Is there any way we can pray for you to have courage and depend on Him for grace and aid on a daily basis?

Exploration:

Verse 1: A. The one who is afflicted looks to the LORD for help.
The psalmist expresses his desire and action to elevate his eyes to the LORD. This indicates that he is focused on the LORD opposed to his present conditions . Having someone to look up to is beneficial. The Psalmist could not raise his eyes any higher. The psalmist gains trust by recognizing wherever the Deity dwells. Although there is no mercy or assistance on Earth, there is plenty of mercy and assistance in paradise. The pilgrim’s goal is not Jerusalem, as important as that city was, or even the temple in Jerusalem, as important as that temple was, but God himself, whose actual throne is not on earth.

verse 2: How do we approach the Almighty?

The servant watches his master for the tiniest sign of need or desire, and responds immediately. The psalmist looks to God with the same fervor, devotion, and persistence.
i. They should take a position where they can see Him; they should fix their sight on Him; and they should look at Him with patient trust as well as enthusiastic eagerness to respond when He issues directives.
ii.Obviously, this is not an endorsement of slavery. It’s a way of emphasizing that the disciple’s reliance on God and submission to God should be no less absolute than an obedient servant to an earthly master.

iii. The servants’ gaze is drawn to the master’s hands, which suggests at least three things:
Dependence: All that is required is provided by the master’s hands.
Submission: The servant’s work is directed by the master’s hands.
Discipline: The servant is corrected by the master’s hands.
iv. How to seek Jehovah’s help in the right way. It’s about relying on others, obeying orders, and responding to corrections. Do we reverently, obediently, intently, continually, eagerly, singly, submissively, pleadingly look to God like that?
v. Creation, providence, and grace are three of Jehovah’s hand’s actions. Each one teaches us a different aspect of our responsibilities; as a result, we must study them carefully in order to understand the divine will.

vi. We have been operating on our own initiative for far too long; let us wait for an indication of our exalted Lord’s will till He takes pity on us. This is the amount of time the composer intends to commit to the LORD. He does not expect a prompt response, but will wait patiently for the LORD to show mercy.

B. The alienated begs for pity.
Verse 3: The psalmist didn’t just hope for kindness; he pleaded for it. He showed that waiting on the LORD isn’t something you do passively. He repeated his plea for mercy, demonstrating the seriousness of his desire. He hoped that the Master he sought would see him and assist him. The psalmist desired God’s intervention and kindness. Because he was overwhelmed with others’ contempt. Others’ scorn for us can sometimes just roll off our backs like raindrops. Other times, we take others’ contempt and allow it to fill us — sometimesunhealthy amounts of it. We must recognize that only God’s mercy can save us at this moment.

The cause for the necessity for mercy.
4th Verse:

This scorn has never been easy to endure, but it’s especially hurtful when it comes from those who appear to have few problems or challenges. This had become the dominant notion in their heads, as well as the source of their distinctive grief. A sense of disdain monopolized the soul and made it unutterably sad, excluding all other sentiments. Apart from the fact it is so easy, people condemn what they oppose because it is disheartening and frequently successful. It works because it targets the latent insecurities or flaws that practically everyone possesses. In this scenario, liberation from affliction has a negative impact. When you put someone at ease, he despises the suffering pious and becomes haughty in his heart and conduct.

The disdain hurled on the composer was worsened by the fact that it came from the proud and arrogant. The psalmist, on the other hand, was content to wait for God’s grace. Pride is both repulsive and repulsive. Nonetheless, this song is imbued with an implicit assurance that God’s mercy would triumph over the proud’s scorn.
With all its tortured feeling of the mockers’ gibes and their great duration, this lovely lament has no accent of impatience.
Contempt can be a source of honor (Acts 5:41), and it is something that Christ Himself accepted and used to save the world. In an immoral culture, dedicating one’s life to worship would always be treated with scorn and ridicule. What is truly important?

The pilgrims’ eyes are lifted to Jehovah’s throne, which is positioned high above all the commotion and war of words.

Application

God is merciful, according to Ephesians 2:4. Mercy drives compassion and goodwill, and it is closely linked to forgiveness. So, if grace gives us what we don’t deserve, mercy is what rescues us. Jesus redeemed us through grace, and his mercy stems from his words on the cross, “forgive them, for they do not understand what they are doing.” So many people in life appear to be carrying a heavy burden. You won’t spend a day without hearing the terms “depression,” “anxiety,” “loneliness,” and “concern.” These are all the result of a downward gaze. When we glance up, we are following the Psalms of Ascent, which constitute an upward motion when read together.

This psalm outlines three methods in which we should seek mercy from the Lord.
1)Look to the lord as a monarch on his throne
2)As a servant looks to his master, look to the Lord.
3)Have faith in the Lord as your compassionate Saviour.

When you’re in difficulty, we need to turn to someone who can genuinely help you. This scripture emphasizes that God is sovereign and that there is no limit to what he can do for us. Let’s take a peek at who we’re looking up to:

• God is in charge. Psalm 115:3 
• Our God is in heaven, and does whatever he wants. Matthew 6:9

God’s throne is in the sky, and he rules over everything. Have you ever observed how the Lord’s Prayer is written in plural form? “My Father in heaven, give me today my daily food,” we don’t pray. “Give us today our daily food,” we pray to “our father.” The similar thing happens in Psalm 123. “I lift my eyes to you,” the psalmist begins, but in his actual petition, he prays in the plural: “Have compassion on us, O Lord, Be merciful on us.”(Psalm 123:2- 3)  The Lord isn’t only in charge of me. All things are under the Lord’s control. While the earth may not all bow down to God’s authority, he is in charge.( Daniel 2:20-22)

Have you ever visited a high-end restaurant and had a waiter who was extremely attentive to your every need? They will go to great lengths to make your stay enjoyable. The psalmist looks to God with the same fervor, devotion, and persistence. When you read this verse regarding the position of a servant, it’s probable that we’ll find it humiliating and unjust. However, Biblical teaching in Old Testament times recognized that individuals had servants to help them around the house and on their property, and that they were to be treated respectfully. (Deuteronomy 24:14–15)

People in lower-ranking positions have never been exploited, and they should never be. The Psalmist is portraying God’s people’s attentiveness in seeking his mercy, comparable to how a servant would be attentive to a master. “Speak, for your servant is listening,” Samuel said when the Lord cried out to him in the middle of the night in 1 Samuel 3. He seemed to be paying attentively.  As a result, it teaches us that when we seek God’s compassion and mercy,   we must likewise give heed to him .

Have you ever had the notion you’ve had enough? That you wish the problems to disappear? “God is faithful, and he will not allow you be tested beyond your strength, but he will also give the way out so that you may be able to endure it,” Paul says. (Colossians 10:13) How reassuring it is to know God recognizes your boundaries when you’ve had enough, . “As a parent has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him,” according to Psalm 103, “because he knows how we are formed, he recalls that we are dust.” (Psalm 103:13-14) Rest assured that God is keeping an eye on us. He is aware.

The arrogant are opposed by God. How do you feel about circumstances in which you feel attacked or oppressed by someone else; do you desire retaliation? The psalmist expresses no animosity, and the situation is left in God’s hands. Remember, we are not in the business of fighting people. ‘For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, even against the dark world forces, and against the spiritual forces of evil with in heavenly realms, Ephesians (6:12). Remember that all of the challenges and difficulties we face are not from God. 

The psalmist was aware of the haughty and proud’s disdain and mockery. And the war is God’s to win.   “I will punish the earth for its iniquity, the wicked for their misdeeds,” God says in Isaiah 13:11. I will put an end to the haughty’s conceit, and I will humble the merciless’ pride.”   They don’t petition God for mercy since they don’t turn to God for mercy. They do not obtain since they do not ask. James 4:6 says “God opposes the proud but offers grace to the humble”.”Have pity on us, O Lord, have mercy on us.”(Psalm 123:3). God shows mercy to those who seek it. In Mathew 5:5, Jesus declares in: the beatitudes: Blessed are the humble, for they shall inherit the earth. For those who seek the Lord in humility and cry for his mercy,the inheritance is apparent.

Psalm 123 is the cries of someone who has no choice but to pray. When you’ve had enough, when you’re at your wit’s end, don’t despair; instead, turn to the Lord. Don’t take things into your own hands.Instead, look to your master’s hand. Seek mercy from the Lord. Declare your whole reliance on God for everything. Then, through Jesus, confidently approach God’s throne in order to obtain mercy and grace.

Questions:

How can we ever represent who God is in our worship when we elevate our eyes to him, the King of Heaven and Lord of Lords, as we lift our gaze to him?
Practical Consideration: Whenever we are confronted with an issue, we should put our attention in the proper way.

Consider something in your life right now, and in light of verse 2, turn to God for his intervention, be sensitive to him in your gazing, wait, and know that God will aid you in your time of need.

Have you ever imagined that God was paying attention to your pains in this way while you cried out for mercy?

Steps to take next:

Establish Decisions/Reminders/Commitments
Make a time and date to go through what you’ve learned.
Examine the Bible.