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Psalm 123 — short and powerful. It’s the hand of God psalm. Do you need a helping hand? There is none better than God’s hand.
There’s an interesting eye/hand shift in Psalm 123. Verse one says, “To you I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens.” We would think that the Psalmist looks to the face of God, but as we read in verse two, “Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master…”
The Psalmist looks toward the hand of God.
Ancient Middle Eastern tradition held that you didn’t look directly into a king’s eyes unless you wanted an instant death sentence. Humility and deference to a king meant you looked down. And in ancient cultures, the king’s hand or the hand of your master did three things…
- Directed their servants through hand motions
- The hands of the king/master gave provision
- All servants looked to the hand of their king/master for protection
The hand of God, as the source of direction, provision, and protection, underlies the hand of God in Psalm 123. We must look to the hand of our God. Psalm 123 then adds another blessing from the hand of God, and that’s mercy.
Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us, for we have had more than enough of contempt (v. 3).
The hand of earthly rulers might give direction, provision, and protection, but rarely mercy. In ancient days, stepping out of line meant being quickly whipped, thrown into a dungeon, or executed. No mercy, it’s a bad example, as all servants must obey without question.
Mercy means withholding what we deserve, and Psalm 103:8 reads, “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.”
Psalm 123 was written soon after the Israelites returned from a 70-year captivity in Babylon. Upon returning, the neighboring nations (their enemies) didn’t place a welcome mat in front of Jerusalem. It was a pivotal time in Biblical history, and God’s people greatly needed the hand of God.
Do we need the hand of God now? Has life turned into something other than expected? Are enemies mocking us? Are we stymied and frustrated, not knowing what to do next? Psalm 123 encourages us to bow down and look to the hand of God in faith.
…Let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:1-2, ESV).
Jesus at the right hand of God (a symbol of favor). We are to look to Jesus, see His face, wonder at His love, and be confident of direction, provision, and protection.
The hand of God. Amen. Peace out!