The Eyes Have It!

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by elizabethaudet

by elizabethaudet

Psalms 123:1-4; 130:1-8

The LAMENTS I am doing my study on is not futile, empty cries for help, as the appeal is for the Mercy of God. We live in a sinful world of pain, sorrow, and anguish; but God is a Merciful God and He hears us. Mercy in the Hebrew is "Chanan". It refers to an act of graciousness to someone in need, from a person of superior rank or circumstances. (Read Psalms 102:16-17; 123:2; Exodus 33:19; Isaiah 26:7-8). We should follow God's example to those around us who need our help. (Read Psalms 112:5; Proverbs 14:21, 31; 28:27). God is merciful to us so we pass on the blessing to others in need. "Have mercy on me", is a familiar phrase. (Read Psalms4:1; 6:2; 25:16; 51:1; and 86:16 as they are good examples). God keeps us safe from harm, He gives us all we need, and He intervenes with the attacks of the enemy of our soul with divine help when we ask Him.

So we enter Psalm 123:1-2-(CEB)-:

1. "I raise my eyes to You-You who rule heaven." (Psalms 113:4-6; 136-is the Mercy Psalm)

2. "Just as the eyes of a female servant attends to her mistress' hand,"

3. "That's how our eyes attend to the Lord our God until He has mercy on us." (2 Corinthians 3:18; Hebrews 12:1-2; Psalm 25:10)

(TEV) picks up next in verses 3-4 of Psalm 123, which was a song the Israelites, sang as they ascended to Zion to worship God. "Be merciful to us, Lord, be merciful; We have been treated with so much contempt! We have been mocked too long by the rich, and scorned by proud oppressors!"

Thus, we find the LAMENT in Psalm 123:1-4, is only shorter than Psalm 117:1-2, which conveys the same plea for mercy and extends it to those who praise God.

As Psalm 123 was so short, I have included Psalm 130 in this section of study. We continue the LAMENT for mercy. This was the 11th Song of Ascent. Psalm 130:1-2-(NKJV)-"Out of the depths I cried to You, O Lord;" (The depth here refers to the innermost part of the Psalmist-his emotions; Psalm 32:3-4; Lamentations 3:55-" Lord, hear the voice of my supplication,"; Psalm 143:1; Nahum 1:7)

In Psalm 130:3-4-(TEV)-we read, "If You kept a record of our sins, who could escape being condemned?" (Micah 7:19)

"But You forgive us, so that we should fear You." (Romans 6:1-2; Psalm 128:1; Exodus 34:7; 1 Kings 8:39, 40). God intervenes when we ask forgiveness no matter how sinful we have been. Fear is respect and awe of His power to forgive.)

This is why the Israelites sang this Psalm as they went up to Mount Zion. Psalm 130:5-6-(TLB)-That is why we wait expectantly trusting God for help, for HE HAS PROMISED." (Psalm 27:14-Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!"

"I long for Him more than sentinels long for the dawn." The sentinels were the guards who walked around at night to keep the people safe from invaders. By morning, they were tired and happy to be relieved of their duties to rest from their vigilance. So the children of Israel were looking forward to rest in God's presence at the temple. (Psalm 119:47-48)

Last the Psalmist's song closes with Psalm 130:7-8-(CEB)-"Israel, WAIT FOR THE LORD!":

1. "BECAUSE FAITHFUL LOVE IS WITH THE LORD;" (Psalm 131:3; Isaiah 55:7)

2. "BECAUSE GREAT COMPASSION IS WITH OUR GOD!"

3. "HE IS THE ONE WHO WILL REDEEM ISRAEL FROM ALL ITS SIN."

(Psalm 103:2-5; Galatians 3:13-"CHRIST HAS REDEEMED US FROM THE CURSE OF THE LAW, HAVING BECOME A CURSE FOR US (for it is written, 'CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE)."

WE RECEIVE GRACE AND MERCY THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD AND FORGIVENESS OF SINS. SO GO AHEAD AND LAMENT TO GOD WITH ASSURANCE IN YOUR HEART THAT HE WILL ANSWER. KEEP YOUR EYES ON HIM AS HIS EYE IS ON YOU!

Next time...