Log inSign up

Psalm 123 · a question people ask

Does the LORD answer the plea in this psalm?

In the text

The psalm doesn't say. It says the eyes look to the LORD "until he has mercy on us" (123:2), and it asks, "Have mercy on us, LORD, have mercy on us" (123:3). Then it ends with what the speakers have endured: "with the contempt of the proud" (123:4). The psalm's four verses are the looking and the asking. These notes don't add an answer the psalm doesn't give.

The verses

“Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD, our God, until he has mercy on us. Have mercy on us, LORD, have mercy on us, for we have endured much contempt. Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scoffing of those who are at ease, with the contempt of the proud.”
Psalm 123:2-4 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Psalm 123

Psalm 123: Our eyes look to the LORD

Psalm 123 lifts its eyes "to you, you who sit in the heavens" (123:1) and pictures servants and a maid with their eyes on a master's and a mistress's hand (123:2). In Hebrew that verse has no verb for look: only eyes, turned toward a hand. One verb for mercy comes three times, and the verb behind "endured" (123:3) is the verb of "filled" (123:4).

In Favor, questions like this come up right where they arise as you read, with the Hebrew and Greek behind the words and how the chapter leads to Jesus.

Start your free weekPsalm 123 Bible study

First week free, then $10 a month per person

More questions about Psalm 123

All questions about Psalms →

The best way to learn the Bible

Favor opens up every chapter as you read.

Favor is a Bible study app for your phone or computer. It takes you through the Bible one chapter at a time, a few minutes a day, and shows you what's really there: the words behind the words, the moments most people miss, and how the whole story fits together. For you. For everyone.

  • Every chapter explains itself

    As you read, short notes open up what's really going on, the details most readers walk past, and the honest questions people ask.

  • The Hebrew and Greek behind it

    Tap a highlighted word to see the original, how to say it, and what it means, checked against the original-language texts.

  • Every page leads to Jesus

    Watch promises made in Genesis kept in Jesus. Each line lights up on your map as you read.

  • Better together

    Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together.

  1. 1

    Start your free week

    Sign up in a minute with your email.

  2. 2

    Read a few minutes a day

    Each chapter opens itself up as you go. Tap what you're curious about.

  3. 3

    Bring your people, if you like

    Send one link. Everyone reads the same chapter, then meets to talk.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person

Questions like this, in every chapter

The best way to learn the Bible. For you. For everyone.

There's a seat for you at the table.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person · Log in

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions