Psalm 123

Psalm Category: Song of Ascents

Central Thought: Waiting for God’s help

Keywords: contempt, eyes, grace, until

Psalm 123 is the fourth in the Songs of Ascents (120-134). The overall theme of the series is ascending to the temple in Jerusalem for the annual feasts (Exod. 23:14-17). Therefore, the Songs of Ascents are well suited to our praise as we ascend in the Spirit into God’s presence in public worship (Heb. 12:22-24). Each of these psalms is very fitting for use as a call to worship.

Introduction

An individual makes the initial statement (v. 1) with the following words referring to all of God’s people (vv. 2-4). We would do well to think in terms of the Lord Jesus speaking for Himself and then interceding for all those who draw near to God through Him (see Heb. 7:25). We sing the Psalms in Christ and with Christ. The first two verses are a confession of faith and the last two are a petition that flows out of that confidence.

Confession of Faith (vv. 1-2)

As in Psalm 121:1, the psalmist ascends to God’s presence with his eyes (v. 1). This requires eyes that are opened and illumined and hearts that are turned to God (Eph. 1:18; Acts 26:18). Pray for eyes to look! What the psalmist looks to is the One who rules over all things (v. 1; Eph. 1:20-23), for only He is above all trouble and able to help. We find a wonderful echo of these things as we pray, “Our Father, who art in heaven” (Matt. 6:9).

“The eyes have it” is the point of verse 2. Jesus assures us that everyone who asks, receives (Matt. 7:7-8); so we are promised that everyone—men and women, individuals and groups—who looks to God will likewise have what they look for. The Lord our God is faithful to provide for His covenanted servants who look to His hand. The hand is the instrument by which gifts come (2 Kings 8:8; 2 Tim. 1:6).

The heart of this psalm is a single word in the middle of it: “until” (v. 2). The one who perseveres to the end is saved (Matt. 10:22; 24:13), and the one who looks with enduring expectation will receive. We are to be like our faithful dogs who eagerly watch the hand holding a bone, drooling their confident expectation all over the floor until we give it to them.

Petition for Help (vv. 3-4)

The gift that is sought is the gift of deliverance from evil (vv. 3-4). This resonates with another item in the Lord’s Prayer, “deliver us from evil” (Matt. 6:13). It is an urgent request and so repeated (v. 3). It is urgent because the psalmist cannot endure one more assault from his enemies (greatly filled; vv. 3 and 4). He is treated as less than nothing (contempt, vv. 3 and 4) and mocking insult is added to this injury (scoffing, v. 4). This is our prayer as well because Christians are greatly despised for our lives of righteousness and witness to truth (see 1 Pet. 4:4; 2 Pet. 3:3). Those who oppress us have no understanding of our sorrows because they have no trouble (ease, v. 4; Ps. 73:4-5) and, rather, are arrogant in all earthly good (pride, v. 4; Ps. 73:6-9).

Just Wait Until…

“…your father comes home!” naturally completes the sentence for some of us, and the implied threat does not bring happy memories to mind. Where there is sin, father’s return is a threatening prospect that ought to motivate repentance. But there is another side to this phrase that is hopeful; namely, we are beaten and oppressed by our enemies for now, but we will be delivered when our Father comes home. And so we look to His faithful hand to give us His deliverance both in the present and, especially, in the end. Look to Him and wait for Him with confident expectation until He is gracious to us (v. 2; see Rom. 8:19, 23-25).

—Kit Swartz

Comments welcome at oswegorpc@hotmail.com. Audio files and outlines of sermons on these psalms are available at reformedvoice.com