Psalm 123 – God, the most trusted source of help

Psalm 123 is the fourth of the Songs of Degrees that were written anonymously. It focuses on a trusting attitude that should accompany anyone drawing near to the Lord. The circumstance surrounding the Psalmist was indeed a stressful one. Verse 4 shows us the extent of the struggles the Psalmist was facing. He was sneered upon by the proud. Inwardly he was bombarded with anguish. He was distressed both outwardly and inwardly and was feeling unsettled. He was the scorned of those proud people who treated him with contempt. Hence he came pleading for mercy to be delivered from it.

The Psalmist came to the right and best source of help. Who else can be a better help than the Lord, Whose dwelling place is heaven? He is the answer to all of life’s problems and struggles. Like the Psalmist, when we come to Him we need to fix our eyes on Him with an attitude of dependence.  Note that he came to God expectantly as a slave would to a master or a maid to her mistress. The slaves and maid imageries suggest an attitude of submission and humble expectation. Such kinds of attitude are needed when we come before the Lord awaiting His deliverance and provision.

In coming to the Lord, the Psalmist became aware of his personal unworthiness. No one can presume on the grace and mercy of God. It is the Lord’s prerogative to grant. It is our privilege to receive. Hence we must not assume the posture that they are due to us. None of us has done anything that merits God’s mercy. Therefore we must come aware that we are fallen sinners, and but for the grace of God in Christ Jesus, we would have nothing good to merit His mercy. That was the posture the Psalmist adopted as he approached the Lord. He sought the gracious dealings of God. 

Regardless of how hard our struggles may be or how tough we are dealt with by people, remember we have one perfect recourse. He is our best source of help. We should not run helter skelter seeking relief. Like the Psalmist, we should just draw near to God and seek His deliverance. When we come, we must come humbly, and trusting His grace and mercy to see us through.