Psalms 123

A Song of Degrees. This Psalm, it is certain, was composed in a time of great distress; when they were extremely afflicted by some haughty and insolent enemies, (ver. 3, 4.) Who those enemies were there are several conjectures; and I will add mine: that this short form of prayer was made by some pious person, when the king of Assyria (whose pride the prophet Isaiah describes viii. 7. and many other places) sent Rab-shakeh, and other of his captains, to besiege Jerusalem: where they poured out most contemptuous, nay, blasphemous words, against God and his people, (2 Kings xviii. xix.) It is probable, if this conjecture be admitted, that it was made by Isaiah, whom Hezekiah desired to lift up his prayer for the remnant that was left, (2 Kings xix. 4. Isa. xxxvii. 4.) Accordingly we read, (2 Chron. xxxii. 20.) both he and Hezekiah cried unto the Lord: and, we may suppose, lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said these words.

Psalms 123:1

LsNTO thee lift Iup mine eyes, O thou that dwell est in the heavens.* Though all human help fail us in this sore distress; yet I do not despair of relief from thee, O Lord:- whose majesty and power incomparably excel all earthly monarchs.

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 watt upon the Lord our God, until that he have mercy upon us.] 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 shew thyself our most gracious God; and in much pity towards us remove it.

Psalms 123:3

Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt. O be gracious unto us, good Lord, be gracious unto us; and in much mercy take away this heavy scourge from us: for we are become so beyond all measure contemptible, (2 Kings xviii. 23, 24. xix. 34.) that we can scarce any longer endure it.

Psalms 123:4

Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud. We have a long time groaned under the intolerable load of the derision and contempt of those whose constant prosperity puffs them up with pride: nay, makes them insolently oppress all those who arc unable to resist them.