Psalm 123 is a Psalm of Degree, also known as a Psalm of Ascent. What is that? When Jewish people went to Jerusalem for a feast or some other reason, it was said they “went up to Jerusalem.” They took the journey very seriously and kept their focus on the Lord. They examined their motives and hearts. They looked to the Lord for His mercy. Jerusalem is on a hill, so to go to Jerusalem, you have to ascend. There are fifteen psalms that were sung as the pilgrims ascended to Jerusalem for worship. Psalm 123 is one of the psalms that was sung, and it is about seeking mercy from God.
“[[A Song of degrees.]] Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens. 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. Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt. Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud” (Psalm 123:1-4).
Like the Jewish pilgrims of so long ago, Christians need to look up to God for mercy.
There are so many lessons to be found in the Psalms. Whether a psalm was written by King David or another inspired man of God, their faith in God shines through their words. Psalm 123 begins with the writer addressing God. “Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens” (Psalm 123:1). God is above all of creation and does dwell in the heavens. As Christians, we are able to have a much closer relationship to God than the people who lived prior to the cross. He does dwell in the Heavens, but many centuries ago, He came to dwell among us and show His perfect love for mankind.
When we truly accept Christ for salvation, the Holy Spirit is sealed within us; He dwells within us. “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise” (Ephesians 1:13).
We are not gods, but God lives in us. Even though we are sinners and have no ability to be perfect by our own merit, Jesus is perfect. Those of us who have placed our faith in Him are righteous only through Him. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).
People who lived prior to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus looked forward to the coming Messiah. After the cross, we have salvation by His grace. God loves us enough to have taken on a human form in order to provide our only way to eternal life with God “that dwellest in the heavens.” Look up to Him for mercy. “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” (Psalm 123:2).
There has always been a line of authority. A child looks toward the authority of parents for guidance. Employees look to employers for how a business is to be run. Who should Christians look to for authority and guidance? We have God’s guidance through Scripture. Scripture is a gift from God to guide us and help us to know Him better. Scripture is His infallible word to guide us to serve Him better. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
We can trust Scripture because it is 100% inspired by the Holy Spirit. Even though the pen was held by many writers, there is only one Author: God. When the Apostle Paul wrote those words, the only Scripture was the Old Testament, but many Bible studies neglect the Old Testament. We miss out on much knowledge by not studying Scripture from Genesis through Revelation. Once we come to fully understand that truth, we no longer have any confusion about life’s choices.
In Genesis, we learn God created everything. He created man and woman and established the foundation of marriage. We learn of man’s rebellion, but we also learn of God’s mercy and eternal love for His creation. God’s love is seen throughout Scripture. In the New Testament, we see that God became human and shed His blood on the cross in order to give us the only means of salvation. He doesn’t force His will upon us but allows us free choice. It’s our own choice to accept His salvation or reject it. Isn’t it time that “…the eyes of servants look unto…” God for mercy and salvation? “Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt” (Psalm 123:3).
Mercy. Isn’t that what we all want? No matter how ornery we are to others, we want them to show mercy to us even when we have no mercy for others. As Jesus walked this earth, many people along the way cried out to Him for mercy. Each with individual needs, such have their need for healing or release from demon possession. Jesus’ love and mercy were endless. He is our example of how to love others. We all need His mercy. Without Him, we are lost sinners, but for many people, pride will not allow them to submit to Christ.
“For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:3-7).
God has shown mercy to us. It’s up to us to accept His mercy and grace. Then, we need to show mercy to others. “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy” (Matthew 5:7). Lift up your eyes to God for mercy, then show mercy to all people around you.
What is stopping you from walking with Christ? Are you concerned about how your friends might look at you if they know you’re a Christian?
“Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud” (Psalm 123:4). If you allow the scoffing and scorn of people who are opposed to God to compromise your faith, you will always look for His mercy but never recognize it when He gives it. Those who scorn are also looking for God’s mercy. They have willingly blinded themselves to His love and mercy. Each of us has to make our own decision to seek the mercy that only comes from Christ. If you’ve come to know Jesus, share His love with others.
It must have been a beautiful sight and sound as those Jewish travelers of long ago ascended to Jerusalem. Regardless of the lies and conflicts of our modern-day evil, God gave Jerusalem to His chosen people. One day soon, they will possess all of what God gave them through Abraham. “And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever” (Genesis 13:14-15).
There were no conditions on this gift from God. Although through disobedience to God, Jewish occupation of their land was interrupted, they have never lost ownership. Today, there is much opposition from evil forces to take the land away from God’s people, but that won’t happen. I believe Scripture and know the land belongs to the Jewish people. “And I will plant them upon their land and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them saith the LORD thy God” (Amos 9:15).
Scripture tells us that the Jewish people will not be pulled up out of their land again. It also tells us that a time is coming very soon when evil will be unleashed and Satanic forces will overtake the entire world. God’s wrath will then be poured out. The Temple will be rebuilt, but it will be made unclean by the man of sin; we call him the Anti-Christ. There will be a seven-year period of time filled with more horrors than can be imagined.
One day, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, and the people in Jerusalem praised Him as the Messiah. “And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest” (Matthew 21:9).
Unfortunately, the Jewish leaders rejected Him. We can look at their ignorance and wonder how this could happen. Let me give a word of warning. The United States of America was established on Judeo-Christian principles. In recent times, those values have been rejected by our leadership. One leader even proudly proclaimed that we were no longer a Christian nation. Elected officials have legalized many abominations, such as abortion, homosexuality, and the corruption in government is appalling. God doesn’t look favorably upon evil, and America isn’t in end times prophecy. Silence among Christians has allowed evil to rule.
At the end of the Great Tribulation, the Jewish people will finally come to recognize Jesus as their Messiah. At long last, they will lift up their eyes to God for Mercy, and He will answer their earnest cry. If you haven’t lifted up your eyes to the Lord asking for His mercy, do it now. Faith in Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection is the only hope for eternal life. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me” (John 14:6).
Give your life to Him today, and then live to please Him. There are many end-time signs happening quickly, and they tell us that the Rapture will be very soon. If you haven’t accepted Christ for salvation before the Rapture, then you will be left on earth to face God’s judgments.
Don’t delay. Look to God for mercy today. Then share your faith with others.
God bless you all,
Nathele Graham
twotug@embarqmail.com
ron@straitandnarrowministry.com
Recommended prophecy sites:
www.raptureready.com
www.prophecyupdate.com
www.raptureforums.com
All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.
If you’d like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries, just drop me an email and let me know.