Chapter Summary

Expectation of mercy from God in the day of contempt.

Discussion Questions for Psalms, Chapter 123

1. Psalm 123:1, “To you I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens!” (ESV) What picture does this verse paint for you regarding our understanding of God and our walk with Him? How can this image help you mediate on God's Word this week?
2. How does the expression of trust help us read the remaining verses of this Psalm? What kind of foundation did it lay for the Psalmist?
3. If you were to describe an imagery that captured a similar theme as the Psalmist in this chapter, what would it be and why?
4. Psalm 123:2, “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.” (ESV) What has it looked like for you to look to God for mercy in this season of your life?
5. What do you naturally associate with “mercy”? What is your understanding of receiving mercy from God? What has shaped that understanding?
6. What fruits of the Spirit did you observe in this Psalm? Explain why those specific fruits of the Spirit stood out to you.
7. Psalm 123:3, “Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us, for we have had more than enough of contempt.” (ESV) Have you or anyone you know been in this position before The Lord? How can we trust in God’s love even in the midst of crying out to Him?
8. What does this Psalm teach us about our walk with God in the face of trial? How did the Psalmist walk with God during his trials?
9. Psalm 123:4, “Our soul has had more than enough of the scorn of those who are at ease, of the contempt of the proud.” (ESV) What have we come to understand about the context of this Psalm? How does this shape the way we understand the urgency and desperation of the Psalmists pleas to The Lord?
10. In addition to seeking God’s mercy, what are some other pleas or requests that we often lift up to God in difficult times? How do these prayers impact what you are experiencing?

Key Words/Phrase

Mercy, v. 3.

Characters

God, Psalmist.

Strong Verse(s)

1