Psalms 123:2 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

Bible Comments

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 mercy; or rather,

3. For help and defence against their oppressors. For servants were unable to defend themselves, and were not allowed to wear defensive weapons, but expected and had protection kern their masters in case of injury. For this phrase of having one's eyes towards another, both in this and other sacred books, constantly notes expectation and desire of help from them, as Psalms 25:15, Psalms 69:3 Isaiah 17:7 Ezekiel 23:27, and oft elsewhere. And the phrase of God's having mercy upon another, doth most commonly signify that act or effect of his mercy in helping and delivering him. Until that he have mercy upon us; until he graciously help and save us.

Psalms 123:2

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.