Day Four: Psalm 123

In psalm 123, a brief but loaded psalm, the pilgrim arrives at the Holy City, Jerusalem, with eyes lifted up to the Lord in the temple. Thus, in a subtle way, this psalm reminds us of the “ascent”! Looking to the Lord who dwells in Heaven, the pilgrims are invited to place their trust in the Lord. Just as the servant watches the hand of the master for the next order or the maid to the mistress for the same, so the pilgrims look to the Lord to have mercy upon them as they place their trust in Him upon whom they depend.

The psalmist reflects on trials that have occurred in life. These seem to be understood as times of exile and being under the rule of others nations along with the hardships that come with that. The scorn and contempt of others for them is a cause of the psalmist’s misery. Thus, we begin to recognize the reason that the psalmist seeks the mercy of the Lord. Mercy can be understood and that form that love takes when it meets misery. It is a form of love because it desires what is best for the other and longs to return dignity to the one in misery. This is why the psalmist and the other pilgrims pour out the hearts to the Lord in Jerusalem. It is a sign of their dependence upon the Lord. Hence the reason that the pilgrims approach the Temple with their eyes fixed on the One who is gracious and merciful; the One who dwells in the heavens and in the Temple; that place where it has been said that heaven and earth meet!

In our journey to the Heavenly Jerusalem, we too run into trials and difficulties. Yet, like the psalmist, we are to place our trust in the Lord upon whom we are to depend and fix our expectant eyes. We lift up our hearts and eyes to Jesus who ascended and is enthroned in the Heavenly Jerusalem. It is on Him that we fix our eyes with expectant hope in His love and mercy for us as we journey towards that Kingdom where He lives and reigns, now and forever!

Pray Psalm 123 in your bible using the steps of Lectio Divina as shared in  praying with the scriptures on the St. Joseph Retreat Center website blog.

What are the things that the psalmist brought to the Lord?
 
As you pray this psalm, fix your eyes on the Lord enthroned in the heavens; what things do you wish to bring to Him?
 
What words or phrases stood out to you?  Write them down in your journal, or memorize them to give your courage on the journey!