Psalm 123 1

Psalm 123:1 kjv

Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens.

Psalm 123:1 nkjv

A Song of Ascents. Unto You I lift up my eyes, O You who dwell in the heavens.

Psalm 123:1 niv

A song of ascents. I lift up my eyes to you, to you who sit enthroned in heaven.

Psalm 123:1 esv

To you I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens!

Psalm 123:1 nlt

I lift my eyes to you,
O God, enthroned in heaven.

Psalm 123 verses

Psalm 123 1 Meaning

Psalm 123:1 is a profound declaration of absolute dependence and earnest supplication. The psalmist expresses an intentional act of directing their focus and hope entirely toward God, recognizing Him as the sovereign and transcendent One who reigns supreme in the heavens. This verse sets the stage for a cry for mercy and deliverance, stemming from a position of humility and utter reliance on divine aid.

Psalm 123 1 Context

Psalm 123 is one of the "Songs of Ascent" (Pss 120-134), likely sung by pilgrims journeying "up" to Jerusalem for the great festivals, or possibly recited as a prayer. This particular psalm serves as a communal lament, expressing deep reliance on God amidst contempt and scorn from adversaries (as seen in verses 3-4). Verse 1 establishes the fundamental theological and relational premise for the psalmist's subsequent plea for mercy: only the God who reigns from the heavens can provide the deliverance needed for those suffering on earth. The posture of lifting eyes emphasizes not only expectation but also an intentional withdrawal from reliance on earthly means or human help.

Psalm 123 1 Word analysis

• Unto You (לֵאֵלֶיךָ - le'elaykha):

  • A direct and personal address. The prefix 'le-' means "to" or "for," and 'Eleykha' contains 'El', a divine name for God, coupled with the second person singular suffix "you." This signifies a precise, focused, and intimate direction of the psalmist's appeal, specifying the true God as the singular object of their attention, contrasting with any idols or earthly powers. It establishes an exclusive spiritual orientation.

• I lift up (נָשָׂאתִי - nasa'ti):

  • From the Hebrew root nasa', meaning to lift, bear, or carry. The perfect tense indicates a completed action with lasting results or an established posture. It's not a fleeting glance but a determined, deliberate, and perhaps continuous act of turning towards God. This physical gesture embodies an inner commitment and earnest expectation.

• my eyes (עֵינַי - einaʸ):

  • Represents the psalmist's entire focus, attention, desire, and source of observation. The lifting of the eyes signifies a looking away from earthly troubles or human solutions and a directed gaze towards the divine realm, embodying hope, dependence, and earnest seeking. It is a posture of both worship and urgent petition.

• O You who dwell (הַיֹּשְׁבִי - hayyoshevi):

  • A participle from the verb yashav, meaning to sit, reside, or dwell. Preceded by the definite article, it functions as a descriptive title, "the One who sits/dwells." This depicts God not as transient, but as stably, perpetually, and supremely enthroned. His "dwelling" implies His abiding presence and rightful authority from His elevated station.

• in the heavens (בַּשָּׁמָיִם - bashshamayim):

  • The term shamayim is often rendered "heavens" and is typically in a dual form, suggesting the vast expanse. Coupled with the preposition b' (in/on), it points to God's transcendent realm, far above all earthly limitations and conflicts. It underscores His sovereignty, majesty, omnipotence, and His absolute control over all things, providing the ultimate foundation for the psalmist's hope, especially in times when earthly powers seem dominant.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Unto You I lift up my eyes": This phrase captures the complete redirection of one's inner being and outward focus toward God. It signifies an intentional spiritual posture of abandonment of self-reliance, expressing radical dependence, a longing for divine revelation, and an expectation of help that can come from no other source. It's an active step of faith and supplication.
• "O You who dwell in the heavens": This identifies the specific, unique nature of the God being addressed. He is not merely an earthly ruler or a local deity but the ultimate, transcendent Sovereign whose throne is beyond human reach yet who oversees all. This theological understanding validates the act of looking to Him alone, emphasizing His unparalleled power, His impartial justice, and His unfailing faithfulness in providing for those who humbly seek Him.

Psalm 123 1 Bonus section

The motif of "ascent" (physical pilgrimage upwards) in the Psalms of Ascent aligns perfectly with the psalmist's spiritual act of "lifting eyes." Both are expressions of moving upward—away from earthly troubles and towards the heavenly dwelling of God. This also carries an implicit polemic against contemporary pagan deities, whose worship often involved localized shrines or idols that could not genuinely "see" or "hear" from afar, let alone from the heavens. The God of Israel, by contrast, is truly exalted and accessible regardless of geographical location. This verse underscores God's personal nature despite His transcendence, as the one whom the psalmist intimately addresses.

Psalm 123 1 Commentary

Psalm 123:1 is a foundational declaration of profound trust and intentional dependence on the transcendent God. Facing circumstances that foster a sense of being looked down upon, as the psalm progresses to reveal, the psalmist actively chooses to look up. This vertical gaze signifies not only humility but also strategic hope, directing attention from earthly contempt or perceived human powerlessness to the divine might enthroned in glory. The act of "lifting eyes" represents a deliberate spiritual and emotional pivot from distress to reliance. By addressing God as "You who dwell in the heavens," the psalmist reaffirms God's supreme authority, His universal reach, and His ability to intervene from a position of ultimate power, unmoved by the ephemeral scorn of human adversaries. It is a stark contrast between fleeting earthly humiliation and the unshakeable eternal dominion of God, providing assurance that help is not only possible but is from the highest authority. This verse provides solace and a blueprint for prayer when one feels vulnerable and misunderstood, guiding the afflicted to fix their gaze on the Lord. For instance, when believers face ridicule for their faith, or when circumstances seem overwhelming, this verse reminds them to lift their eyes above their immediate pain and perceived helplessness to the all-powerful God who sovereignly rules from His heavenly throne.