Psalms 123:2
Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maidservant to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, till he has mercy upon us.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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{ "author": "Traditionally attributed to David, though the authorship of many Psalms is debated.", "location": "Likely written from Jerusalem or during Israel's exile, looking towards God's intervention.", "dateTime": "Likely composed during the period of the monarchy or the exile.", "literaryStyle": "Wisdom poetry, employing vivid simile to express profound dependence and expectation." }
The psalmist begins by acknowledging God's sovereignty in heaven, contrasting it with the mistreatment and contempt they're facing from others on earth. This verse paints a vivid picture of utter dependence, comparing the posture of God's people to that of household servants intently watching their masters' hands for direction, provision, or even correction, signaling a deep trust and anticipation of divine intervention and mercy. The psalm continues to plead for this mercy, emphasizing that their hope lies solely in God's grace amidst their suffering and oppression.
Have you ever felt completely dependent on someone else for everything? This psalm paints a powerful picture of that kind of reliance.
The psalm compares our gaze toward God to that of household servants watching their master's hand. This wasn't just about obeying commands. Think about what a servant's hand signified:
This imagery highlights our absolute need for God in every aspect of life – for direction, for sustenance, for safety, and even for His loving correction. Our waiting on God is an acknowledgment that He is the source of all these things.
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The psalm doesn't just say we look; it says we look until something happens. What are we waiting for?
The heart of this psalm is expressed in the phrase 'till he has mercy upon us.' This isn't passive waiting; it's an active, expectant posture.
Understand the original words
ebed · Hebrew Noun
Those who serve, obey, or are subject to the will of another. In a biblical context, it describes the posture of humility, dependence, and submission to God's authority.
YHWH · Hebrew Noun
The covenant name of God (Yahweh) revealed to His people. It signifies His eternal self-existence, faithfulness, and the personal relationship He maintains with Israel.
chanan · Hebrew Verb
God’s compassionate, unmerited favor toward those in distress or sin. It is an appeal to His covenantal kindness and desire to help those who are helpless and suffering.
This Psalm likely emerged during or shortly after the Babylonian exile, a period when the people of Judah felt utterly dependent on God for deliverance from their oppressors and for the restoration of their homeland and identity.
c. 700 BC
Assyrian Dominance
The Neo-Assyrian Empire exerted significant power and influence over the Southern Kingdom of Judah, leading to periods of tribute and vassalage. This era was marked by a sense of vulnerability and dependence on foreign powers.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon begins his campaigns against Judah, initiating the first wave of exiles to Babylon. This event marked the beginning of the end for the Southern Kingdom and a profound crisis for the people.
586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
The Babylonians utterly destroy Jerusalem and its magnificent Temple, culminating the exile. This was a devastating blow to the national and religious life of the people of Judah.
c. 580 BC
Exile in Babylon
The Judean people are scattered throughout the Babylonian Empire, facing hardship and alienation. During this time, the Psalmist expresses a deep longing for God's intervention and mercy.
539 BC
Persian Conquest of Babylon
Cyrus the Great of Persia conquers Babylon, opening the door for the return of exiled peoples to their homelands.
538 BC
Edict of Cyrus and Return of Exiles
Cyrus issues a decree allowing exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple. This marked the beginning of the post-exilic period, though many remained in exile.
This passage speaks of God waiting to be gracious and showing compassion, directly echoing the 'till he has mercy upon us' plea in Psalms 123:2. It paints a picture of God's longing to bless His people when they seek Him.
Matthew 6:24While Psalms 123:2 focuses on a servant's dependence on their master, Matthew 6:24 warns against serving two masters, highlighting the exclusivity of true devotion. This emphasizes that our ultimate 'master' and source of provision must be God alone.
Luke 12:37Jesus describes servants eagerly awaiting their master's return, ready to serve immediately. This mirrors the watchful anticipation in Psalms 123:2, where the focus is on readiness for God's action and mercy.
1 Peter 5:5-7This passage exhorts believers to be humble, cast their anxieties on God, and be alert. The idea of 'casting all your anxieties on him' resonates with the servant's expectant gaze, acknowledging our complete reliance on God for relief and provision.
cambridgePsalms 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 wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us."
2 . Behold, as the eyes of servants (look) unto the hand of their masters, As the eyes of a maid (look) unto the hand of her mistress, So our eyes (look) unto Jehovah our God, until he be gracious unto us. As the servants or slaves of a household are dependent on the master and mi…
poolePsalms 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 wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us."
Look unto the hand of their masters; either, 1. For supply of their wants, which comes from their masters’ hand; or, 2. For pity, the hand being the instrument whereby masters commonly correct their servants, and looking to the hand may express the posture of one supplicating for…
{ "author": "Traditionally attributed to David, though the authorship of many Psalms is debated.", "location": "Likely written from Jerusalem or during Israel's exile, looking towards God's intervention.", "dateTime": "Likely composed during the period of the monarchy or the exile.", "literaryStyle": "Wisdom poetry, employing vivid simile to express profound dependence and expectation." }
The psalmist begins by acknowledging God's sovereignty in heaven, contrasting it with the mistreatment and contempt they're facing from others on earth. This verse paints a vivid picture of utter dependence, comparing the posture of God's people to that of household servants intently watching their masters' hands for direction, provision, or even correction, signaling a deep trust and anticipation of divine intervention and mercy. The psalm continues to plead for this mercy, emphasizing that their hope lies solely in God's grace amidst their suffering and oppression.
The psalmist begins by acknowledging God's sovereignty in heaven, contrasting it with the mistreatment and contempt they're facing from others on earth. This verse paints a vivid picture of utter dependence, comparing the posture of God's people to that of household servants intently watching their masters' hands for direction, provision, or even correction, signaling a deep trust and anticipation of divine intervention and mercy. The psalm continues to plead for this mercy, emphasizing that their hope lies solely in God's grace amidst their suffering and oppression.
"Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maidservant to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, till he has mercy upon us." — { "author": "Traditionally attributed to David, though the authorship of many Psalms is debated.", "location": "Likely written from Jerusalem or during Israel's exile, looking towards God's inter…
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