Psalm 123: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Psalm 123 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

The psalmist looks up to Yahweh, who sits in the heavens (v. 1). The psalmist compares their expectation to that of servants looking to their masters, expressing a desire for mercy from God (v. 2). They plead for Yahweh's mercy, acknowledging the contempt they have endured (v. 3). The psalmist's soul is filled with scoffing and contempt from the proud and those who are at ease (v. 4).

Key verse

“Have mercy on us, Yahweh, have mercy on us, for we have endured much contempt.”
Psalms 123:3 (WEB)

Outline

Psalm 123:1 Looking Up to God
Psalm 123:2 Servants' Expectation of Mercy
Psalm 123:3 A Plea for Mercy
Psalm 123:4 Endurance Amid Contempt

Discussion questions

In verse 1, who does the psalmist lift his eyes to?
In verse 2, what do the eyes of servants look to?
Verse 3's plea for mercy: what does the repetition of 'have mercy on us' suggest about the psalmist's state?
In verse 4, what does the phrase 'the scoffing of those who are at ease' imply about the oppressors?
When have you felt 'contempt' from others, as expressed in verse 3?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Psalm 123: Psalm 25, Psalm 121, Isaiah 40.

Before next time: read Psalm 124.