INTRODUCTION - Read Psalm 123, Nehemiah 1-7:3, 8&9
Psalm 123 is a PLEA FOR MERCY from those who have come to Jerusalem for their Feasts - another one of the "Songs of Ascension." It is a "single voice" singing on behavior of the Israelites - God's People. It is a short Psalm, but the message is simple and clear: "OUR GOD IS MERCIFUL".
"It is likely this Psalm would have been used in an ancient worship setting in which the community expressed their trust in God and pleaded for His help." William H Ballinger Jnr.
Some commentators believe it may have been written by Nehemiah, when the people came back from Babylon to Jerusalem to rebuild their Temple and city. Everything looked dark when Nehemiah arrived to see the walls broken down, and it was a city of poverty. The other nations had been looking down upon them as "week, feeble Jews". Everything seems against Nehemiah, but he was a man who had the "fire of God in his soul". He had come to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, and his heart was only for this task. He was "earnest" and "enthusiastic" about his plans to rebuild.
"But Nehemiah was wise. He paid no attention to his accusers. He just looked to God for GRACE AND COMFORT." Dwight L Moody
"Do not grieve, for the JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH." Nehemiah 8:10b (NIV)
LOOKING TO THE LORD - Read Verses 1&2
"I LIFT UP MY EYES TO YOU, to You, who sit enthroned in Heaven." Psalm 123:1
"The Psalmist declares his intention and action - to lift up his eyes to the LORD. This means his eyes are not on his circumstances or himself, but only the Lord." David Guzik
"I would like to call your attention to the prophet Nehemiah. We may gain some help from this distinguished man who accomplished a great work - he was a man of stirling worth. Although he was brought up in the idolatrist city of Persia, we are sure of one thing at least - he has a character that has stood for centuries......Nehemiah was a great man of PRAYER who began with confession of his own sins, and those of his people. After PRAYING he received GREAT POWER FROM GOD." Dwight L Moody
With the same intensity as a servant or maid looks to their master or mistress, the Psalmist "looks above "the mountains and hills" to the Lord. They know that their master would supply all their needs, and would direct their work. Like Nehemiah, we know that our God is indeed MERCIFUL AND FAITHFUL, and will do the same for us. The Psalmist persevered patiently until the Lord extended His mercy to His people.
SEEKING THE LORD'S MERCY - Read Verses 3&4, Read 2 Corinthians 1:3-6
"We wait for Him to show His mercy. Have mercy on us, O Lord, because we have been insulted." Psalm 123:2b & 3 (NCV)
The Psalmist demonstrated that waiting on the Lord is not a "passive" thing. He repeated the request for MERCY, showing the intensity of his plea. He knew that the Lord would answer his prayer and help him. God is compassionate, understanding how we, like the Psalmist, have been "insulted" and persecuted for our FAITH.
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the FATHER OF COMPASSION and the GOD OF ALL COMFORT. He comforts us in our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble, with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." 2 Corinthians 1:3&4 (NIV)
"Now GRACE means unmerited MERCY - undeserved favour. ..... If God were to give us GRACE enough for a lifetime, He has given us the priviledfe of drawing on Him day by day. There is plenty of GRACE in the bank of Heaven; we need not be afraid of it becoming exhausted."
Dwight L Moody
"We have suffered many insults from lazy people, and much cruelty from the proud." Psalm 123:4 (NCV)
Scorn and insults are never easy to bear, but it is especially painful when we have a few problems and difficulties to face. We can be assured of CHRIST'S MERCY, because we know that He has shared in the "contempt of the proud". When Jesus suffered most, His closest friends "denied Him"
and were not at his side.
and were not at his side.
"Nevertheless, this Psalm is filled with the unspoken confidence that the MERCY OF GOD will triumph over the contempt of the proud." David Guzik
"We share in the many sufferings of Christ. In the same way, much comfort comes to us, through Christ. If we have troubles it is for our COMFORT AND SALVATION, and if we have comfort, you also have comfort. This helps you to accept PATIENTLY the same sufferings we have." 2 Corinthians 1:5&6 (NCV)
"The Apostles left the meeting full of joy because they were given the honour of suffering disgrace for Jesus." Acts 5:41 (NIV)
CONCLUSION - Read Psalm 123
"Great is Your Mercy", Don Moen (Performer), 2022, You Tube Playlist.
"The Holy Bible - New Century Version", 2005, Thomas Nelson
"The Holy Bible - New International Version", 2011, Biblica
Brueggerman, Walter & Bellinger, William H Jnr, "Psalms", 2014, Cambridge University Press
Guzik, David, "Psalm 123 - Looking to God for Mercy in Affliction", 2020, www.enduringword.com
Moody, Dwight L, "The Works of Dwight L Moody", 2012, www.golgothapress.com
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