Psalm 123:2 kjv
Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us.
Psalm 123:2 nkjv
Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, 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.
Psalm 123:2 niv
As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a female slave look to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, till he shows us his mercy.
Psalm 123:2 esv
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 nlt
We keep looking to the LORD our God for his mercy,
just as servants keep their eyes on their master,
as a slave girl watches her mistress for the slightest signal.
Psalm 123 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 27:14 | Wait for the LORD; be strong... | Patience in awaiting God. |
| Psa 37:7 | Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him... | Trusting God's timing. |
| Psa 40:1 | I waited patiently for the LORD... | Example of enduring trust. |
| Isa 40:31 | But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength... | Strength found in waiting. |
| Lam 3:25-26 | The LORD is good to those who wait for Him... | Hope in waiting on God. |
| Hab 2:3 | ...if it delays, wait for it; it will surely come... | Divine promise of future fulfillment. |
| Psa 4:6 | ...Lift up the light of your face upon us, O LORD! | Seeking God's favorable attention. |
| Psa 34:15 | The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and His ears toward their cry. | God's attention to the faithful. |
| 2 Chr 7:14 | If My people... will seek My face... then I will hear from heaven... | Requirement for divine attention and mercy. |
| Deut 8:3 | ...man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. | Dependence on God's provision and word. |
| Psa 104:28 | When You open Your hand, they are filled with good things... | God as the ultimate provider. |
| Psa 145:15-16 | The eyes of all look to You... You open Your hand; You satisfy the desire... | Universal dependence on God's generosity. |
| Ezra 8:22 | ...the hand of our God is on all who seek Him for good... | God's protective and helpful hand. |
| Isa 41:10 | Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. | God's powerful, supportive hand. |
| Psa 116:16 | O LORD, I am your servant... | Affirmation of servant identity before God. |
| Psa 86:16 | Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant... | Prayer of a servant to their Master. |
| Rom 6:18, 22 | ...you became slaves of righteousness... now that you have been set free... and have become slaves of God... | Christian identity as servants of God. |
| Col 3:23-24 | Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men... | Working for God, anticipating His reward. |
| Psa 51:1 | Have mercy upon me, O God, according to your steadfast love... | Plea for God's characteristic mercy. |
| Psa 103:8 | The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. | God's character defined by mercy. |
| Exod 34:6-7 | The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious... | Core revelation of God's compassionate nature. |
| Tit 3:5 | ...He saved us, not because of works done by us... but according to His own mercy... | Salvation by God's mercy, not human merit. |
| Mt 6:9-11 | Our Father in heaven... Give us this day our daily bread... | Asking God, like a child to a parent, for needs. |
| Lk 12:43 | Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. | Parable emphasizing vigilant servitude. |
Psalm 123 verses
Psalm 123 2 Meaning
This verse paints a vivid picture of absolute dependence and earnest expectation, comparing the vigilance of servants looking to their masters' hands for every need and directive, to the people of God intently gazing upon the LORD their God. It expresses a communal cry for divine mercy, signifying a deep-seated need for God's intervention and grace amidst prevailing distress, indicating persistent faith and patient waiting until His compassion is manifest.
Psalm 123 2 Context
Psalm 123 is a Psalm of Ascent, sung by pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem, often associated with a sense of communal distress and reliance on God. The first verse established the psalmist's—and by extension, the community's—sole gaze "to You who are enthroned in the heavens." Verse 2 then elaborates on this unwavering gaze, using a tangible and relatable ancient household analogy to convey the profound depth of their reliance. The following verses (3-4) immediately reveal the "contempt," "scoffing," and "proud" scorn from their adversaries, providing the dire circumstances that necessitate such an intense longing for divine mercy. The psalm articulates a corporate prayer born out of humility and desperation, in a setting where societal power dynamics meant absolute dependence of a servant upon their master for all provision, protection, and direction.
Psalm 123 2 Word analysis
- Behold (הִנֵּה, hinneh): An emphatic interjection drawing attention to a significant comparison or declaration. It signals the reader to stop and consider deeply what follows.
- as the eyes of servants (עֵינֵי עֲבָדִים, ‘eynei ‘avadim): "Eyes" here symbolize not just sight, but intense focus, attention, vigilance, and expectant waiting. "Servants" (male and female) are those entirely dependent on their master's will, provision, and favor for their very existence and well-being within the ancient Near Eastern household structure. Their life and livelihood are entirely subject to the master's decree.
- look to (מְיַחֲלוֹת, meyaḥălôṯ - the verb used often conveys hoping/waiting with expectation; though here more literal sense of gazing/watching closely is inferred): This isn't a passive glance but an active, hopeful, and watchful gaze. It signifies an awareness of vulnerability and a diligent readiness for direction or help. It implies an unbroken watch.
- the hand of their masters (יַד אֲדוֹנֵיהֶם, yad ’adoneihem): "Hand" represents the master's authority, power, provision, action, discipline, and benevolence. Servants observed the master's hand for signals, for gifts, for food, for protection, or for tasks. It signifies the master's executive agency.
- and as the eyes of a maidservant (וְעֵינֵי שִׁפְחָה, vĕ‘eynei shipḥâ): This parallelism underscores the universality of this intense dependence across gender within the serving class, broadening the analogy's application. It emphasizes that this type of watchful, needy gaze is total and comprehensive.
- to the hand of her mistress (אֶל־יַד גְּבִרְתָּהּ, ’el-yad gĕvirttah): The female counterpart, reinforcing the idea of full dependence in a diverse household structure. The mistress also held significant authority and administrative power over servants.
- so our eyes look to the LORD our God (כֵּן עֵינֵינוּ אֶל־יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ, kēn ‘eyneyinu ’el-YHVH ’Ĕloheinu): This is the direct application of the analogy. "Our eyes" signifies a communal, collective posture of the supplicants. "The LORD our God" (YHVH Eloheinu) is a powerful confessional statement: YHVH is God's covenant name, signifying His faithfulness and relational commitment; "our God" reinforces the personal and communal possession of God as their ultimate sovereign. This combined name expresses both His supreme authority and His personal connection to them.
- till He has mercy upon us (עַד שֶׁיְחָנֵּנוּ, ‘ad sheyeḥanneinu): "Till" conveys persistence and duration; they will not stop looking or hoping until His compassion is concretely shown. "Has mercy" (חָנַן, ḥānan) is a common biblical term for showing grace, favor, or compassion, especially when there is an inequality of power, highlighting God's unmerited favor toward the distressed. This phrase signals that their primary hope and need is for God's divine favor to alleviate their suffering.
Psalm 123 2 Bonus section
The analogy of a servant’s watchful gaze on the master’s hand often implies discernment beyond explicit commands. A master might communicate intent or need through a subtle movement, a hand signal, or the simple offering of an object. The servant’s diligence therefore involved anticipating needs and interpreting non-verbal cues. This mirrors the spiritual attentiveness required by believers: a posture of sensitive and discerning dependence on the Holy Spirit, looking not just for clear directives but also for divine leadings, promptings, and timely interventions in situations of dire need. This deep dependence precludes reliance on self or other human agencies, ensuring God alone is glorified as the ultimate Source of rescue and grace.
Psalm 123 2 Commentary
Psalm 123:2 articulates a profound spiritual posture of absolute dependence and earnest, patient expectation. The analogy of servants fixedly gazing at their masters' hands perfectly illustrates a total reliance on divine provision and intervention. In a time of vulnerability, these servants are not waiting for commands alone, but for a gesture of approval, a sign of sustenance, a direction for protection, or simply a manifestation of their master’s favor and benevolence. Their survival hinged on this attentiveness. Similarly, the supplicants—Israel as a community—fix their gaze upon the LORD, recognizing His supreme authority and their complete vulnerability. Their waiting is not passive idleness, but an active, hopeful vigilance, understanding that their very deliverance and sustenance can only come from His "hand" of power and compassion. The collective "our eyes" reinforces the communal nature of this plea, reflecting a unified trust in God amidst shared suffering, persevering "till He has mercy" as only His unmerited favor can deliver them. This verse is a timeless lesson in unwavering trust and patient endurance during times of intense hardship.