Perspective: Where Mercy Comes From
DEVOTION BY
MAJOR ANTHONY JULIANA
Divisional Commander
Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi
GOD’S WORD
Psalm 123
Devotional
PERSPECTIVE – Where Mercy Comes From
It is good to have someone to look up to in life. The psalmist of Psalm 123 recognized this truth in a way that reaches beyond mere admiration. He lifted his eyes as high as they could go—not to the hills, not to earthly help—but to the God who rules from heaven. Psalm 123, the fourth of the Songs of Ascent (Psalms 120–134), is a prayer for mercy offered from a place of vulnerability. It centers on perspective—where we look, to whom we look, and how we look in times of hardship.
This psalm was sung by Israelite pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem for worship. As they ascended toward the temple, they also lifted their hearts toward the throne of God. It is not simply a song of geography but of posture: spiritual eyes gazing upward in hope and expectation. The psalmist shifts our attention from earthly discouragement to divine compassion, reminding us that mercy flows not from the world around us, but from the God above us.
A New Perspective: Eyes Lifted to Heaven
“To you I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens!” (Psalm 123:1, ESV)
The psalmist sets the tone by acknowledging God’s sovereign position—He is enthroned in heaven. From this place of authority and compassion, God sees clearly and rules justly. The worshiper does not look within, nor does he look around for solutions. Instead, he lifts his eyes in submission and trust, knowing the source of mercy lies far above human strength.
This opening verse demonstrates that perspective is as much about how we look as where we look. It’s a matter of posture: lifting the eyes, adjusting the heart, and shifting focus from the temporal to the eternal. As Colossians 3:2 reminds us, “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
Waiting with Trust: Eyes Fixed on the Master
“Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maidservant to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, till he has mercy upon us.” (Psalm 123:2, ESV)
The psalmist uses the imagery of a servant watching attentively for a master’s command. Just as a servant depends on the master for provision, direction, and protection, so the believer is called to look to God with undistracted devotion. This is not a casual glance—it is a fixed gaze, a posture of patient anticipation.
This posture reflects three key traits:
- Dependence: The master’s hand provides everything the servant needs (Philippians 4:19).
- Submission: The master directs the servant’s work, and the servant yields to that will (James 4:7).
- Discipline: The servant watches constantly, remaining alert and ready to respond (Luke 12:35–37).
The psalmist isn’t asking for help based on merit but pleading for mercy because of God’s character. This is a community that knows its need and is willing to wait “until he has mercy upon us.” There is no demand for immediate relief, only a steadfast trust that God will act in His perfect time.
A Cry for Mercy: The Pain of Scorn
“Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us, for we have had more than enough of contempt. Our soul has had more than enough of the scorn of those who are at ease, of the contempt of the proud.’ (Psalm 123:3–4, ESV)
The tone now shifts from poetic imagery to an urgent plea. “Have mercy upon us” is repeated for emphasis. The psalmist doesn’t provide details of the oppression but focuses instead on the pain: a soul that has had enough. The torment isn’t from guilt or sin, but from the mockery and arrogance of the world around them. And it is from this weight that the people petition for mercy.
Those described here—the proud, the self-sufficient, the ones “a tease”—have no need for God. They look down on the faithful. But the Psalms teach us not to return their scorn or attempt self-justification. Instead, we are to lift our eyes higher. Isaiah 2:11 tells us, “The haughty looks of man shall be brought low, and the lofty pride of men shall be humbled, and the Lord alone will be exalted.”
The psalm shows us the right response to injustice: not revenge or bitterness, but prayer. In hardship, God’s people are called to wait—not passively, but expectantly, trusting the One who is enthroned in the heavens.
Mercy for Today
Psalm 123 offers a perspective for anyone who feels overwhelmed, weary, or despised. It speaks to the deep cry of a soul that has nowhere else to turn and no one else to ask for help. Martin Luther called it “the deep sigh of a pained heart.” For those moments when you’ve exhausted your resources, when the opinions of others have wounded you, or when the weight of injustice feels too heavy, this psalm invites you to look up.
This is a song for when you feel oppressed or persecuted, when you have exhausted your skill sets and understanding, when you’ve had enough —and that’s often when we finally turn to God. As Hebrews 4:16 encourages, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Psalm 123 reminds us that God doesn’t rule with cold detachment. He hears the prayers of His people and responds with eternal mercy (Psalm 136). That will surely change your perspective.
Questions for Reflection and Prayer
- Where do your eyes instinctively go when you feel like you’re at the end of your rope?
- In what ways are you tempted to respond to scorn or injustice in your own strength?
- How can you practice the discipline of attentively waiting on God, like a servant watching the master’s hand?
- What would it look like for you to truly live in dependence on God's mercy this week?
OUR CORPORATE PRAYER
Lord God enthroned in heaven, we lift our eyes to You, our source of help and mercy. Teach us to look to You instead of the trouble around us, and to trust Your hands that guide, provide, and restore. Forgive us when we rely on ourselves or react in haste. In times of weariness and scorn, give us strength, patience, and hope. Help us wait on Your mercy with humble hearts and keep our eyes fixed on You, trusting You fully and following You faithfully.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.