Psalms 123 - Clarke's commentary and critical notes on the Bible

Bible Comments
  • Psalms 123:1 open_in_new

    A Song of degrees. Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens. Unto thee lift I up mine eyes - We have no hope but in thee; our eyes look upward; we have expectation from thy mercy alone.

  • Psalms 123:2 open_in_new

    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. As the eyes of servants - We now wait for thy commands, feeling the utmost readiness to obey them when made known to us. The words may be understood as the language of dependence also. As slaves expect their support from their masters and mistresses, so do we ours from thee, O Lord! Or, As servants look to their masters and mistresses, to see how they do their work, that they may do it in the same way; so do we, O Lord, that we may learn of thee, and do thy work in thy own Spirit, and after thy own method. Some think that there is a reference here to the chastisement of slaves by their masters, who, during the time they are receiving it, keep their eyes fixed on the hand that is inflicting punishment upon them, professing deep sorrow, and entreating for mercy. And this sense seems to be countenanced by the following words: -

  • Psalms 123:3 open_in_new

    Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt. Have mercy upon us, O Lord - Chastise us no more; we will no more revolt against thee.

    We are exceedingly filled with contempt - We not only suffer grievously from our captivity, but are treated in the most contemptuous maner by our masters.

  • Psalms 123:4 open_in_new

    Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud. Those that are at ease - The Babylonians, who, having subdued all the people of the neighboring nations, lived at ease, had none to contend with them, and now became luxurious, indolent, and insolent: they were contemptuous and proud.

    Commentary on the Bible, by Adam Clarke [1831].