Psalms

Psalms 123: Mercy from the enthroned LORD

Begin in prayer

Before we hear the prayer of people burdened by contempt, let us lift our thoughts toward the Lord who reigns above. Ask Him to lead us to Jesus and teach us patient dependence on His mercy.

Incline your ear, Yahweh, and hear. Open your eyes, Yahweh, and see. Hear the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to defy the living God.

2 Kings 19:16

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word, and help us to see Christ. Show us that the Lord reigns in heaven and His servants look to Him for mercy while enduring the contempt of the proud. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

The singer lifts his eyes to the One who sits in heaven. A servant watches his master's hand, and a maid watches her mistress's hand. In the same way, God's people keep their eyes on Him until He has mercy. Their repeated plea tells Him how much contempt they have endured. Proud people at ease fill their souls with scoffing, and the song ends still asking for mercy.

As you read Psalms 123, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD reigns in heaven, and His servants look to Him for mercy while enduring the contempt of the proud.

The first upward look becomes a shared prayer, gathering wounded people before the Lord enthroned in heaven. Those who despise them have visible ease, yet they do not occupy His throne. Servants watching a hand give the prayer its picture of alert dependence on another's provision and direction. Their gaze continues until mercy comes, making waiting part of the plea itself. The repeated request for mercy carries the weight of contempt that has filled their souls. Those at ease use their comfortable position to scoff, and the proud treat God's servants with scorn. The prayer names that wrong before the Lord and leaves its answer with Him. Its ending gives burdened people words to keep looking toward God when the contempt has continued and relief is still awaited.

How does Psalm 123 show us that the LORD reigns in heaven, and His servants look to Him for mercy while enduring the contempt of the proud?

The LORD enthroned in heaven is the One His servants look toward.

The singer raises his eyes to the One who sits above. His prayer then includes the people looking with him. Their shared need is brought before the Lord whose throne stands above the proud.

God's servants wait upon His hand for mercy.

A servant and a maid watch the hands of those they serve. This picture gives the prayer its patient, attentive dependence. God's people keep looking to Him until He has mercy on them.

God hears His servants name the contempt that burdens their souls.

The request for mercy is repeated because the contempt has become so heavy. Comfortable, proud people fill their souls with scoffing. They bring that burden to the Lord while the song still waits for His answer.

Memorise

Have mercy on us, Yahweh, have mercy on us, for we have endured much contempt.

Psalm 123:3

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, whose approval am I seeking while neglecting mercy from the Lord Jesus?

The prayer repeats, “Have mercy on us, Yahweh, have mercy on us.” Scorn has filled the people's souls, and they look toward the One who sits in heaven. They keep watching His hand while relief remains awaited.

We also need mercy for the pride that has made us despise others and resist God. Jesus died in His people's place, enduring God's righteous anger against their proud rebellion to bring them near to the Father. He rose from death. His sacrifice settled their whole debt, securing the forgiveness no human approval could give.

Turn from pride and trust the Lord Jesus. Whoever comes to Him is forgiven. Bring Him the scorn you have suffered and confess the contempt you have shown. The merciful Lord has brought everyone trusting Jesus near through His completed work, and He receives their prayers through long humiliation.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the Lord reigns in heaven and His servants look to Him for mercy under proud people's contempt. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Ask God for mercy for those burdened by contempt, and confess the pride in our own treatment of others. Bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Jesus said to him, “Go your way. Your son lives.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way.

John 4:50

Merciful Lord, You see the scoffing that wounds and the pride we carry in our own hearts. Please forgive our contempt and lead us to Jesus for the mercy His finished work secures. Help our children bring their burdens to You. Sustain Your servants who face humiliation, and teach Your church patient prayer and compassionate care. Amen.