Psalm 123 is the fourth of the fifteen “Ascent Psalms”,
also called the “Pilgrim Psalms”. This is another of the songs of degrees which
have no named authorship but as some believe it was possibly written by King
Hezekiah. It definitely fits the setting of the Assyrian invasion of Judah and
the encirclement of Jerusalem by the armies of Sennacherib. The immediate
occasion was probably the blasphemous, contemptuous speech of Rabshakeh in
which he tried to subvert the loyalty of the besieged defenders of the city
(Isaiah 36-37).
It is not until we read verse 4 that we discover the burden
of the writer: the constant persecution of the people of Israel, being treated
with scorn and contempt. Has any nation ever suffered the way Israel has
suffered? During the post-exilic years, Israel also suffered the ridicule and
scorn of their Gentile neighbors (Neh. 2:19; 4:1-4, 7). This psalm speaks about
the God who is enthroned in heaven whose hand would work for His people, and
you find both of these themes in Ezra and Nehemiah. Of
course, God's people today are also suffering because of their commitment to
Christ (John 16:30). According to missiologists, more Christians were martyred
in the twentieth century than in all the previous centuries combined!
When we find ourselves among the slandered, ridiculed, and
persecuted, where do we turn for help? The psalm gives three answers to that
question. First, we should look by faith to God's throne (v. 1). Of
course, with our human eyes, we cannot see God on His throne, but with the eyes
of faith we see Him as we believe the Word. "My eyes are toward the
Lord" (Psalm 25:15). To look toward the Lord means to trust Him and
turn our problems over to Him by faith. "Looking unto Jesus, the author
and finisher of our faith" (Heb. 12:2). God's throne is mentioned
often in the book of Psalms (9:4, 7; 11:4; 45:6; 47:8; 93:2; 97:2; 103:9), and
to believers today, His throne is a throne of grace (Heb. 4:14-16). The life of
faith begins by looking to the Lord by faith and trusting Him for salvation
(Isa. 45:22). The life of faith continues as we keep our eyes of faith on Jesus
(Heb. 12:2), and it will climax with faith becoming sight and we'll see Jesus
in His glory (1 John 3:1-2).
Second, we should look by faith to God's hand (v. 2). In
eastern countries, masters often commanded their servants by means of hand
signals, so the servants kept their eyes on the master's hand. This is what
gave them direction for their work. But the master's hand was also the source
of their provision, what they needed for their daily sustenance. Finally, the
master's hand protected them in times of danger. So, it is with God's people
today: our direction, provision, and protection all come from our Master's hand
and His hand never fails.
Finally, we should look for God's mercy and grace (vv. 3-4). The
exiles from Israel had spent seventy years in Babylon. Most of the older ones
died and at least two new generations were born. Now, about 50,000 of these
people were trying to rebuild their temple, restore their city, and revitalize
their nation. This was not an easy task, and the nations around them did not
want Israel back on the scene again. The Persian rulers who had promised to
help them did not always keep their promises, or the local Persian officers
interfered with the announced plans. It was another evidence of the hatred the
Gentiles had for the Jews. "We have endured much contempt" (v.
3). (Neh. 2:19; 4:1-4, 7; Lam. 3:15, 30.) But God chooses and uses the despised
things of this world (1 Cor. 1:28). After all, our salvation was purchased by
One who was "despised and rejected of men" (Isa. 53:3).
If you find yourself laughed at and criticized because you
belong to Jesus Christ, you are part of a very elite group, and you do not have
to be embarrassed or start looking for a place to hide! There is grace
available at the throne of grace from the God of all grace, so lift your eyes
of faith to Him.
God bless!
