Skip to main content
Psalmlog Logo
Read

Psalm 123:2

Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD, our God, until he has mercy on us.

1A Song of Ascents. I lift up my eyes to you, you who sit in the heavens.
2Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD, our God, until he has mercy on us.
3Have mercy on us, LORD, have mercy on us, for we have endured much contempt.
4Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scoffing of those who are at ease, with the contempt of the proud.
World English BibleRead in NIV in Psalmlog →
← Psalm 123:1Psalm 123:3 →
Notice

The servants’ eyes stay on the hand of someone with authority, a picture of dependence that can feel exposed when mercy has yet to come.

Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.

What does the servants’ watchfulness help you name about your own dependence on God?

Write on this

Where does “until he has mercy on us” meet an unfinished prayer in your life?

Write on this
Connect

Where else Scripture says this

12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.

This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Isaiah 40:31but those who wait for the LORD will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and not …Both passages describe waiting for the LORD: the psalm seeks mercy, and Isaiah speaks of strength renewed.
Psalm 25:3Yes, no one who waits for you will be shamed. They will be shamed who deal treacherously without cause.Waiting for God links these prayers, with Psalm 123 seeking mercy and Psalm 25 expressing confidence against shame.
Psalm 130:5–6I wait for the LORD. My soul waits. I hope in his word.Both psalms describe sustained attention to the LORD, expressed through watchful eyes in one and waiting with hope in the other.
Psalm 25:15My eyes are ever on the LORD, for he will pluck my feet out of the net.Both prayers fix their eyes on the LORD, looking to him for mercy or rescue from a net.
Lamentations 3:25–26The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.Both passages turn toward the LORD in waiting, with mercy sought in the psalm and his goodness affirmed in Lamentations.
Psalm 62:1For the Chief Musician. To Jeduthun. A Psalm by David. My soul rests in God alone. My salvation is from him.Both psalms express dependence on God, one through eyes awaiting mercy and the other through a soul resting in him.
Genesis 49:18I have waited for your salvation, LORD.Both texts address the LORD with expectant dependence, waiting for mercy in the psalm and salvation in Genesis.
Luke 18:1He also spoke a parable to them that they must always pray and not give up,The psalm’s continued looking toward God shares Luke’s emphasis on persistence in prayer without giving up.
Genesis 32:26The man said, “Let me go, for the day breaks.” Jacob said, “I won’t let you go unless you bless me.”Both texts express persistence in seeking a response: the psalm’s speakers await mercy, while Jacob refuses release without a blessing.
Isaiah 33:2LORD, be gracious to us. We have waited for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation also in the time of trouble.Both are communal appeals to the LORD for gracious help, voiced by people who wait for him.
Joshua 10:6The men of Gibeon sent to Joshua at the camp at Gilgal, saying, “Don’t abandon your servants! Come up to us quickly and save us! Help us; for all the kings of …Servants seeking help link these passages: Gibeon appeals to Joshua, while the psalm’s speakers look to the LORD for mercy.
Joshua 9:27That day Joshua made them wood cutters and drawers of water for the congregation and for the LORD’s altar to this day, in the place which he should choose.The shared thread is service: Joshua assigns labor, while the psalm uses servants watching their masters as a picture of dependence.
Where this verse fits

Waiting. wanting a steady prayer habit. injustice and anger.

What the Bible says about patience →What the Bible says about anger →
One step

Something small to carry out of this verse

Bring one unfinished plea for mercy to God

prayerdailylight
Encouragement

The people praying have endured contempt, and their plea is still open. Your need for mercy has a place in prayer before the God who rules from heaven.

Now put it in your words.

Start an entry on Psalm 123:2. Write what it stirs. Psalmlog sets your words beside Scripture and gives you one next step. Your first entry is free, no account needed.

Keep goingPsalm 123 · the whole chapter with its connection mapPsalms · every chapterBuild a reading plan through Psalms

Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).